This International Standard specifies the technical requirements of metallic and other inorganic coatings in order to develop consistent technical standards and establishes a standard format for designating the coatings. It applies to International Standards for electrodeposited, autocatalytic and vapour deposited coatings. Detailed technical requirements for individual coatings are not given in this International Standard, but can be found in the International Standards listed in the Bibliography. This International Standard does not apply to thermally sprayed and porcelain enamel coatings. This International Standard is not to be specified in technical standards, product specifications, contracts, purchase orders or on engineering drawings, as invoking a “method of specifying” in these documents is not contractually binding. The main clauses of a coating standard shall be the following: Introduction (optional) 1. Scope (mandatory) 2. Normative references (mandatory) 3. Terms and definitions (mandatory) 4. Information to be supplied to the electroplater or processor by the purchaser (mandatory) 5. Designation (mandatory) 6. Requirements (mandatory) 7. Sampling (mandatory) Annexes A, B, C …etc. (optional) Bibliography (optional) The Scope shall define the purpose of the standard and state the materials and products to which it applies, along with any known limitations. The Scope also contains warnings or caveats concerning health and safety hazards, international and environmental rules and regulations in bold font e.g.: WARNING — This International Standard might not be compliant with some countries’ health, safety and environmental legislations and calls for the use of substances and/or procedures that might be injurious to health if adequate safety measures are not taken. This International Standard does not address any health hazards, safety or environmental matters and legislations associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this International Standard to establish appropriate health, safety and environmentally acceptable practices and take appropriate action to comply with any national, regional and/or International regulations. Compliance with this International Standard does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations.