1.1 The purpose of this guide is to provide internationally acceptable guidelines for builders, maintainers, and distributors of computerized materials properties databases in any form, including PC disks, compact disks, or online systems.
1.2 The scope of this guide includes recommendations and guidelines on the following aspects of the production, supply and management of sources of machine-readable material-property data.
1.3 This guide provides certain basic tenets of database management operating philosophy. They are intended to ensure the development, maintenance, and distribution of machine-readable material property databases that are easily accessed and utilized, and are responsive to users' needs and expectations with respect to quality, reliability, and degree of documentation.
1.4 In developing this guide, the recommendations of a variety of international groups and services have been consolidated and, in some cases, amplified 2,3 .