Standards are invaluable tools, providing guidance, consistency, and best practices across industries. However, to truly benefit from a standard, it’s crucial to ensure it applies to your specific needs before diving into the details. 

The best way to do this? Start with the scope and introduction.

These sections serve as a roadmap, outlining the standard’s purpose, limitations, and relevance. By reviewing them first, you can save time, avoid confusion, and ensure you’re using the right standard for the right task—before committing to its full implementation.

What does a standard’s scope do?

As the name suggests, a scope sets out the extent to which the standard applies. And just as importantly, confirms any exceptions or limitations to that. The format, length and detail of a scope varies according to the content of the standard.

Where a standard is very detailed and practical, a scope may be prescriptive, setting out clearly what the standard does and the situations in which it can be used. Where a standard provides more general guidance, for example those relating to provision of services, the scope might provide more of a general framework.

For example, the scope of BS ISO 18639-4:2018+A1:2023 PPE ensembles for firefighters undertaking specific rescue activities – Gloves is clear about what the standard covers. It’s only about gloves used during specific rescue activities such as emergency rescue from a vehicle, to protect firefighters from exposure to hazards. The scope states that the standard covers general glove design, minimum performance level of the materials used, and methods for testing the material performance level.

The scope states that it does not cover special gloves for other uses. For example, special gloves for use in other high-risk situations such as firefighting.

Scopes can be found at the start of a standard. In international standards, care is taken to ensure that, as far as possible, different language editions are consistent so the document will apply consistently in each country.

 What does a standard’s introduction do?

An introduction explains the context of a standard and any relevant background information. It tells you something about how the standard came about, whether it is intended to be used in conjunction with any other standards, and how it was developed.

The introduction might also set out any benefits that users of the standard might expect to see, and whether there are implications to some of the language choices used. For example, a clause saying ‘should’ may carry a different meaning to one that uses ‘may’, ‘shall’ or ‘can’.

BS ISO 45003:2021 Occupational health and safety management. Psychological health and safety at work. Guidelines for managing psychosocial risks has an introduction that explains the context of the standard. It is intended to be used alongside BS EN ISO 45001, which helps organizations build and manage an occupational health and safety management system.

The introduction explains what psychosocial hazards are and how psychosocial risks can lead to negative outcomes for workers such as cardiovascular disease, anxiety, depression and poor health behaviours.

The introduction states that psychosocial risks contribute to absence from work, turnover, reduced product or service quality, recruitment and training challenges, workplace investigations and litigation, and reputational damage. Managing them well can deliver benefits such as employee engagement, enhanced productivity, increased innovation and organizational sustainability.

Preview a standard before you purchase

Before investing in a standard, take advantage of the preview section available on BSI Knowledge. The scope and introduction are often accessible, allowing you to determine whether the standard is relevant to your needs before making a purchase.

Additionally, BSI Knowledge provides a list of contents, giving you a clear overview of what the standard covers.

So, remember: start with the scope and introduction. They’re the key to ensuring a standard is the right fit for your purpose.

For more guidance on how to understand a standard, read our article How to navigate the bibliographic information of a standard.

Any questions?

If you don’t have time to read the scope or the introduction, why not let us help?

Remember, if you are a BSI Member, and have a question about the right standard for your needs, contact the BSI Member Enquiry Service by emailing knowledgecentre@bsigroup.com.

The service is included in your membership, and you’ll be talking to professional researchers with up-to-date databases of national and international standards.

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