Clarity mark

Would you like to show customers and regulators that you take clear communication very seriously?

Clarity Mark Plain English Ireland

Clarity mark

Would you like to show customers and regulators that you take clear communication very seriously?

Clarity Mark Plain English Ireland

A mark of clear communication

The Clarity mark is an assurance mark that can be displayed on a document to show it has achieved a high standard of clarity and readability. It can also be used on a website.

It can only be awarded after a rigorous assessment of clarity, brevity and humanity. This is widely accepted among the international Plain English community as key to ensuring accessibility and readability for a wide audience.

The key question

Will the intended audience understand it the first time they read?

Why the Clarity mark matters

Financial services

The Clarity mark shows your customers – and the Central Bank – how seriously you take clear, accessible, customer-focused communications.

Public sector

Putting your publications or website through the Clarity mark process proves that you are committed to meeting the standard of plain language required.

Service providers

Achieving the Clarity mark on your guides, booklets or website shows they have achieved a high standard of clarity and readability.

How do you get a Clarity mark?

1
Assessment

Each publication or website is assessed in relation to its aims and target audience. We bear in mind that what’s plain for one audience might not be plain for another. The three key questions we ask are: Is it clear? Is it concise? Does it use an appropriate style and tone?

Insurance leaflet for a wide readership

It should use everyday English and avoid – or explain – financial terms.

Report for industry experts

It may use common technical terms and some jargon.

2
Outcome

After an assessment, we either provide you with the Clarity mark – or with a report that tells you how to reach the standard required.

Clarity mark awarded

Report with recommendations

Organisations that have received the Clarity mark include:

safefood-logo-new-360
pepper group logo
alzheimer society of ireland logo
Mabs logo
Itc logo
Igbc logo
Screenshot_21
Dcu logo

Often when a person or family receives a dementia diagnosis, it can be life changing for them and they often don’t know where to turn for support or information. Our aim is to provide accurate, up-to-date, accessible and relevant information resources which are clear, precise and easy to understand.

Sarah has worked with us on a number of our factsheets to help us get the Clarity mark, which shows the factsheets have achieved a high standard of clarity and readability which is important for us and our service users. She has always been very knowledgeable and insightful.

Alzheimer Society of Ireland

The alzheimer society of ireland

Interested in the Clarity mark?

Find out whether your document or website meets the standard, or ask us for more information about what’s involved.