Form and Style for ASTM Standards - ASTM International

PART C
FORM OF OTHER TYPES OF ASTM STANDARDS
INTRODUCTION
In addition to test methods and specifications, ASTM standards take other forms, including the
following:
Classifications
Practices
Guides
Terminology or Definitions (see Part E)
Reference Radiographs
Reference Photographs
Tables
Charts
As a committee attempts to develop a standard, the question of differentiation between a practice and
a guide may arise. In general, a practice underscores a general usage principle whereas a guide suggests
an approach. A standard practice connotes accepted procedures for the performance of a given task.
Refer to definitions given on p. vii. A guide may propose a series of options or instructions that offer
direction without recommending a definite course of action. The purpose of this type of standard is to
offer guidance based on a consensus of viewpoints but not to establish a standard practice to follow in all
cases. A guide is intended to increase the awareness of the user concerning available techniques in a
given subject area, while providing information from which subsequent testing programs can be derived.
Regarding reference radiographs, reference photographs, tables, and charts, there are relatively few
subject headings, and the form of the standard is left to the jurisdiction of the sponsoring committee. The
first two types listed in the introduction to Part C, however, are most common and are given greater
treatment below.
Special instructions with respect to the legal aspects are included in Part F and shall be followed in
writing any standard. These include such matters as contractual items, caveat statements, patents, and fire
standards. Assistance on development of fire standards is available from Committee E05. The policies
contained in Part F are approved by and are under the jurisdiction of the ASTM Board of Directors.
When a standard is being developed, the costs associated with its development and subsequent use
generally should be considered. The prime objective should be the optimum use of resources to achieve
satisfactory definition of the product or service. However, it should be noted that when the standard
relates to the safety of persons, cost considerations are likely to become much less important than when
attributes of materials or products are involved. Some standards, such as a definition, impose no cost on
the user; others that include numerous and extensive requirements can entail significant expense to users
of the standard. The requirements to be included should, therefore, be those that are technically relevant
and yield benefits commensurate with the cost of their determination.
Cost effectiveness statements or rationale may be included within a standard if appropriate, usually
in an appendix.
C1. Description
C1.1 “A classification is a systematic
arrangement or division of materials, products,
CLASSIFICATIONS
C-1
systems, or services into groups based on similar
characteristics such as origin, composition, properties,
or use.” 1
1 From Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees.