ISO 1985:2015 specifies, with reference to ISO 230-1 and ISO 230-7, both geometric and machining tests on general purpose, normal accuracy, manually, and numerically controlled (NC) surface grinding machines with reciprocating table and vertical grinding wheel spindle. It also specifies the applicable tolerances corresponding to the above-mentioned tests.

ISO 1985:2015 is not applicable to surface grinding machines with fixed or rotating tables or to machines having longitudinal traverse of the wheelhead.

ISO 1985:2015 deals only with the verification of the geometric accuracy of the machine. It does not apply to the testing of the machine operation (vibrations, abnormal noises, stick-slip motion of components, etc.), nor to the checking of its characteristics (such as speeds, feeds, etc.), which should generally be checked before testing the accuracy. ISO 1985:2015 provides the terminology used for the principal components of the machine and the designation of the axes with reference to ISO 841:2001.