Before looking at size ranges, test procedures, marking requirements, or acceptance thresholds, ask yourself: “Is this standard applicable to this product?” You might have a great technical document with excellent information, but it may still not apply to your product, material, market, or use case. That determination is the first decision that needs to be made in the scope clause.
Look at a brief product standard, read the title and scope clause only, then write one sentence of the products that are covered, and another on those not covered or that have limitations. Write a second sentence about the intended purpose: manufacture, test methods, classification, packaging, product information? If you can clearly answer the first question about applicability before reading too much, you won’t find yourself confused or misled later when you are looking for more information in those clauses.
Often words in scope depend upon definitions. A term may have its everyday meaning, but in a standard that same term may have a more specific meaning. It may apply by product type, by use, by material type, by operation, by service, by condition of use, or by performance classification. If you don’t know a term you find in the scope, look in the definitions or any normative references before you make an appropriateness decision.
Newcomers look for a familiar product name or type, and assume the whole document is relevant. The product has several versions and the standard only addresses a particular version. The product has multiple material classes or types, and the standard only addresses a specific class. The product has one use, such as residential application, while the standard applies for another use, for example, industrial application. A document describes a test method to measure a particular characteristic, not the limits or requirements on that characteristic. Each of those cases affects all later entries in a requirement matrix.
Make a note rather than relying upon mental memory. Useful note information includes document title and revision; product(s) included; any applicable market or use situation; applicability status (e.g., applicable, not applicable, needs expert review); and reasons for being included or excluded. If only a portion applies, note the relevant section number or clause number, do not include the whole document as applicable.
The last step is to ask: “Can I answer this question (applicable standard) without just saying the name of the standard?” Can you describe the types of products covered; the critical type(s) not covered; and purpose (use situation); and are you aware of any special definition or condition that changes the scope? When you know the answers to these questions, the later work with the product standard for specifications, test results, and conformity records will rest upon a firm foundation.