Personal services: harmonization of standard NF X50-056 with industry practices and legislative developments

Professionals in the personal services sector have revised the NF X50-056 standard to reflect sectoral and legislative developments since 2008. It now promotes better support for professionals in the improvement in the quality of services offered.

The NF X50-056 standard has been the reference document for professionals providing home-based personal services since 2008. In particular, it answers their questions: how should they define their home-based service offering? How can they promote it and adapt it over time? How should the various stages be managed, from welcoming the public to providing the service? In accordance with the defined ethical framework, it provides the main specifications necessary for the provision of home services, the provisions ensuring that the service complies with the standard, those relating to the continuous improvement of the service, and terminology used in the sector.

Both the regulatory and sectoral contexts have changed. New legislative documents have been published on home-based personal services, and the sector's activities have expanded to cover new areas.

Professionals in the home care services sector asked AFNOR to initiate a revision of standard NF X50-56. The aim was to take account of these developments and new practices in the sector.

Following technical revisions to the standard, the new version, which remains voluntary, is now consistent with current regulations and covers all home-based personal services, including social and medical-social services.

This new version provides professionals in the sector with greater clarity, simplified vocabulary, a new description of the content of the services provided, and improved quality of services for people in their homes, based on feedback and the implementation of a continuous improvement process.

Ironing, home tutoring, DIY, home nursing, assistance and support for vulnerable people... home-based personal services provide help with everyday tasks and have both a social and medical-social focus.

Professionals in the sector are strongly encouraged to implement quality procedures based on compliance with service commitments. They can have their services certified as compliant with the criteria of the standard, in particular through a certification process.