The five must-read sections of any standard

Like a good book, the beginning of a standard contains some very important information.
It’s not to be skipped, and can save you time and effort, answering important questions.
For example, what does this standard cover, who developed the standard, which other standards does this one relate to, and what do the terms used in the standard actually mean?

Let’s look at the five sections early in a standard where you’ll find key information about that standard and key related information in an instant.

1. The Scope
The scope tells you what a standard covers – and what it excludes. If you need a quick guide as to whether a particular standard is relevant to your work, the scope offers an overview for ease of reference.

2. National Foreword
Many standards are international documents that are adapted for use in a British context. The National Foreword explains the publication history of the standard, such as the Technical Committee responsible for its development and whether the document is part of a series of standards.

3. The Contents
A scan through the contents can be useful to tell you all the clauses, tables, annexes, figures and diagrams contained in the document. This can help to give a sense of the level of detail of the standard before you begin to explore any section in depth.

4. Normative References
The normative references section sets out all of the standards that are referred to within the standard you are reading. This can help you to find other standards that could support your work, or find ways to apply a standard more effectively.

5. Terms and Definitions
To ensure conformity, all users of a standard should have a clear idea of what the terms contained in the document mean. Any ambiguity could result in misunderstandings and costly mistakes. The terms and definitions section ensures you and your colleagues and partners are speaking about the same thing when you use certain terms.

Extra help for members
Remember, if you’re short on time, BSI Members also have exclusive access to our team of research professionals at the Knowledge Centre who can help you dig into the details.

Want to check if a standard has changed since the last time you used it? Our researchers can quickly identify any changes and keep you up to date on revisions and amendments without you having to wade through the entire document.

Discover even more ways our Knowledge Centre team can help now.