WHO-ITU Global standard for safe viewing devices and systems

21 March 2025
Call for proposals

Background

The increasing use of digital devices has raised concerns about eye health conditions such as myopia, digital eye strain, and dry eye disease becoming more prevalent. The increasing reliance on digital devices requires proactive interventions from technology manufacturers, developers, policymakers, and healthcare professionals. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) are collaborating to develop a global standard for safe viewing devices and systems to guide manufacturers and software developers in integrating features that promote healthy practices.

This requires software developers and smartphone manufacturers to add features to help protect the eye health of children and adult populations. The primary audience of this standard consists of the major producers of smartphones and tablets, including software designers and architects, smartphone app developers, and smartphone manufacturers. These groups play a critical role in integrating default features that influence users’ viewing habits and screen time.

To support this work, the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, Rehabilitation and Disability (NCD) is looking for a service provider to conduct a comprehensive planning and situation analysis to inform the global standard and support the development of the “zero draft”.

 

WHO is seeking an organization/provider that can develop the following activities:

  • review related existing standards and guidelines,
  • design and conduct interviews and/or surveys amongst key stakeholders to gather insights and recommendations,
  • develop a situation analysis report that will form the basis of the recommendations in the global standard, and
  • support the development of the “draft” framework outlining core technical recommendations for device manufacturers, software developers, and regulatory entities.
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    Required components of proposal

    The proposal submitted should include:

  • statement of interest,
  • cost proposal,
  • detailed experience and examples of previous relevant, similar work undertaken (or portfolio), and
  • detailed timeline for the proposed project.
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    Submission of proposals

    Your company is invited to submit a proposal to the email vision@who.int by 4 April 2025 at 23:59 CEST.