National foreword

This British Standard is the UK implementation of ISO 18173:2026.

The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical Committee WEE/46, Non-destructive testing.

A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to its committee manager.

Contractual and legal considerations

This publication has been prepared in good faith, however no representation, warranty, assurance or undertaking (express or implied) is or will be made, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by BSI in relation to the adequacy, accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of this publication. All and any such responsibility and liability is expressly disclaimed to the full extent permitted by the law.

This publication is provided as is, and is to be used at the recipient’s own risk.

The recipient is advised to consider seeking professional guidance with respect to its use of this publication.

This publication is not intended to constitute a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.

This British Standard was published under the authority of the Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 30 June 2026.

Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.

The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).

ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a) patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a) patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

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This document was prepared by ISO/TC 135, Non-destructive testing.

This first edition cancels and replaces the first edition of ISO/TS 18173:2005, which has been technically revised.

The main changes are as follows:

harmonizes and updates the terms and definitions of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) in ISO/TS 18173: 2005, EN 1330‑2: 1998 and ASTM E1316‑13c.

Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

Introduction

This document defines the general technical terms that are used in many non-destructive testing disciplines. These terms are not usually defined in the standards pertaining to individual non-destructive test methods. Thus, the terms and definitions in this document serve to establish a common basis for further standardization and general use in the field of non-destructive testing and thereby provide for enhanced understanding in commerce and industry.

1 Scope

This document defines general technical terms used in many non-destructive testing disciplines.

2 Normative references

3 Terms and definitions

BS ISO 18173:2026

Non-destructive testing. General terms and definitions

Current

Published:

30 Jun 2026

1 Scope