This document specifies principles and gives guidance for developing normative documents that contain:

• specified requirements for the object of conformity assessment;
• specific methods and procedures for an individual conformity assessment activity (e.g. test methods);
• rules and methodology for conformity assessment (as part of conformity assessment schemes, including provisions for organizations that perform conformity assessment activities).

This document is intended for the following users:

• standards developers;
• regulatory authorities;
• conformity assessment scheme owners;
• industry associations and consortia;
• conformity assessment bodies;
• accreditation bodies;
• purchasers;
• consumers and non-governmental groups;
• other interested parties, e.g. insurance organizations.