Unlike the approach used in developing the other ICF Core Sets, the Generic Set (sometimes called Minimal Generic Set) was developed from a psychometrics study. The Generic Set is composed of seven 2nd level categories (click here) from the ICF components Body Functions and Activities and Participation which have been statistically determined to be the generally applicable across health conditions and contexts. As such, the Generic Set can be used for a very brief description of functioning. Because of its general applicability, it is strongly recommended that the ICF categories from the Generic Set should be included every time an ICF Core Set, Brief or Comprehensive is used. This will ensure the data collected in a clinical setting for assessment purposes has the widest applicability for other purposes, including health statistics, health services planning and research.

The Generic Set is of importance for health statistics and public health. It can be used to compare health across health conditions, settings, contexts, countries and population groups using only a small number of ICF categories that are key indicators of health and functioning. The Generic Set is also valuable for clinical use as it depicts the very core of functioning, and provides at a glance, initial insight into a patient's level of functioning that is clear and understandable to any health or health-related professional involved. Most importantly, the Generic Set ensures comparability across health conditions.