BS0-2 (2005)

BS 0-2:2005
BRITISH STANDARD
A standard for
standards –
Part 2: Structure and drafting –
Requirements and guidance
ICS 01.120
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BS 0-2:2005
Publishing and copyright information

The BSI copyright notice displayed in this document indicates when the
document was last issued.
© BSI 14 DECEMBER 2005
ISBN 0 580 47377 5
The following BSI references relate to the work on this standard:

Committee reference SPSC
Draft for comment 05/30125670 DC
Publication history
First published as Part 2 and Part 4, March 1974
Second edition of Part 4, December 1975
First published as Part 3, November 1981
Second edition as Part 3, November 1991
Third edition as Part 3, August 1997
First (present) edition as Part 2, December 2005
Amendments issued since publication
Amd. no. Date Text affected
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BS 0-2:2005
Contents
Foreword ii
Introduction 1
1 Scope 2
2 Normative references 2
3 Terms and definitions 2
4 Principles 5
5 Requirements specific to different types of standard 10
6 Structure, divisions and elements 12
7 Drafting 14
8 Verbal forms used in standards 20
9 Spelling and presentation 20
Bibliography 22
Table 1 Verbal forms 20
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Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover,
pages i and ii, pages 1 to 22, an inside back cover and a back cover.

© BSI DECEMBER 2005 • i
BS 0-2:2005
Foreword
Publishing information
This part of BS 0 is published by the British Standards Institution (BSI)
and comes in effect on 1 January 2006.
Supersession
This part of BS 0 supersedes BS 0-3:1997, which will be withdrawn on
31 December 2005.
Relationship with other publications

BS 0 is intended primarily for the use of BSI committee members and
staff, and those providing first drafts of standards and related British
Standards publications. It was last published in 1997 in three parts and
subsequently amended in 2002. The standard is issued in two parts:
• Part 1: Development of standards – Specification;
• Part 2: Structure and drafting – Requirements and guidance.
Information about this document

This edition has been fully revised and follows the principle adopted for
Part 1 in that it is confined to matters of fundamental policy and
principle. Details of style and presentation appear in The BSI guide to
standardization – Section 2: Rules for the structure, drafting and
presentation of British Standards. It is envisaged that the latter
document might regularly be updated to reflect changing requirements
both in BSI’s market and in its own production systems.
Details of significant changes introduced in this edition of BS 0-2 are
discussed in the introduction.
Presentational conventions
The provisions (see 3.2.1) of this standard are presented in roman (i.e.
upright) type. Its requirements are expressed in sentences in which the
principal auxiliary verb is “shall”.
Commentary, explanation and general informative material are
presented in smaller italic type, and do not constitute normative
elements (see 3.2.2).
Contractual and legal considerations

This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions
of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity
from legal obligations.
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ii • © BSI DECEMBER 2005

BS 0-2:2005
Introduction
This edition of BS 0-2 has been developed so as to provide a concise
exposition of the principles governing the drafting of standards of
national (i.e. UK) origin. Many details concerning editorial practice and
policy are now to be found in The BSI guide to standardization –
Section 2: Rules for the structure, drafting and presentation of
British Standards. That document also contains instructions for the
implementation in the UK of European and international standards.
This edition of BS 0-2 takes the form of a specification and guide.
The principles it encapsulates are presented as requirements that are
binding on all types of formal standard of national origin. However,
these requirements have been drafted so as to allow a reasonable degree
of latitude in order to accommodate the developing needs of the
standardization community. It is also recognized that this community
(both users and producers of standards) are in most cases used to
working with standards of international and European origin and it has
been the intention to maintain the high degree of consistency in drafting
practice that has already been achieved amongst the organizations
concerned.
This edition introduces a major innovation concerning the presentation
of informative guidance and commentary. It has been developed from
the principle adopted for some years in a category of standard known
informally as “practice specifications”, and allows the provisions of the
standard (see 3.2.1) to be supplemented by informative material that is
presented distinctly, but in parallel with them. This allows the standard
to maintain the rigour and authority of a specification whilst offering the
user a large amount of explanatory guidance that would previously have
been difficult to accommodate.
BS 0 is to be used as an exemplar for all other standards of national
origin, which therefore allows the commentary and guidance feature to
be adopted for them if it is thought to be of value. There is, of course,
no compulsion to use this approach, and it is likely that many traditional
product specifications will continue to be drafted much as previously.
However, it does allow technical committees to introduce text in a
prominent position that can be used to:
• offer guidance on the application or implementation of the
provisions of a standard; or
• explain the context or background of a particular provision; or
• explain the committee’s reasoning in respect of provisions that
might otherwise be thought to be obscure or contentious.
Examples of this feature have been selectively introduced into the text
of this document, particularly in Clause 4, where it has been thought
helpful to offer an explanation and rationale for some basic principles
that might otherwise be thought to be arbitrary.
Amongst other provisions to which the user’s attention is drawn, is new
text to be introduced in the foreword to codes of practice (see 5.2), in
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order to strengthen the ability of this type of standard to support

conformity assessment principles.

© BSI DECEMBER 2005 • 1
BS 0-2:2005
1 Scope
COMMENTARY ON CLAUSE 1 This part of BS 0 specifies requirements, and gives guidance, in respect
Detail concerning the adoption of of the structure and drafting of those documents of national (i.e. UK)
European and international origin that are published as British Standards or Drafts for
documents as British Standards Development.
documents can be found in
BS 0-1:2005, 5.7, and in The BSI It does not explicitly include requirements for BSI publications that are
guide to standardization – Section 2. not regarded as being part of its formal standardization programme.
This part of BS 0 is concerned principally with matters of policy and
principle. Further detailed prescriptions concerning the presentation
of British Standards are to be found in The BSI guide to
standardization – Section 2.
2 Normative references
COMMENTARY ON CLAUSE 2 The following referenced documents are indispensable for the
Normative references are deemed application of this document. For dated references, only the edition
to be indispensable insofar as cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the
reference to the cited document referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
would have to be made in order
fully to comply with the provision BS 0-1:2005, A standard for standards – Part 1: Development of
in which the reference appears. It standards – Specification
should be possible to take the
accuracy and appropriateness of
BS 7998-3 (IEC 60027-3), Letter symbols to be used in electrical
such citations on trust. technology – Logarithmic and related quantities, and their units
BS ISO 31 (all parts), Quantities and units
See 7.8.2 for the criteria for
normative references to be dated or BS ISO 999, Information and documentation – Guidelines for the
otherwise. content, organization and presentation of indexes
ISO 10241, International terminology standards – Preparation and
layout
The BSI guide to standardization – Section 2, Rules for the
structure, drafting and presentation of British Standards
(http://www.bsi-global.com/NSB/Governance)
Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, 5th edition. Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 2002
Chambers Dictionary of Science and Technology. Edinburgh:
Chambers Harrap, 1999
3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this part of BS 0, the terms and definitions given in
BS 0-1:2005, together with the following apply.
3.1 types of standard (and related documents)

COMMENTARY ON 3.1
Requirements for individual types
of standard are given in Clause 5.
3.1.1 specification
standard that sets out detailed requirements, to be satisfied by a
product, material, process, service or system, and the procedures for
checking conformity to these requirements
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2 • © BSI DECEMBER 2005

BS 0-2:2005
3.1.2 method
standard that gives a complete account of the way in which an activity
is performed (and, where appropriate, of the equipment or tools
required to perform it) and conclusions are reached, to a degree of
precision appropriate to the stated purpose
3.1.3 vocabulary
standard listing definitions of terms used in a particular sector, field or
discipline
3.1.4 code of practice

standard comprising recommendations for accepted good practice as
followed by competent and conscientious practitioners, and which
brings together the results of practical experience and acquired
knowledge for ease of access and use of the information
3.1.5 guide
standard that gives broad and general information about a subject, with
background information where appropriate
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3.1.6 classification
standard comprising designations and descriptions of different grades
of a product and that identifies and arranges data in hierarchical order
3.1.7 draft for development

DD
provisional document, developed under broadly the same processes as
a formal standard and published when standardization of a particular
subject is urgently required, but further research or development is
required before it can be published as a British Standard
3.2 elements of a standard

3.2.1 provision
COMMENTARY ON 3.2.1 expression that takes the form of a statement, an instruction, a
“Provision” is the generic term used recommendation or a requirement
for those fundamental elements of
text that convey criteria necessary
in order to be able to claim
compliance with a standard. Note
that they are not always
requirements; in documents such
as codes of practice they are
recommendations. Further detail
is given in Clause 5.

BS 0-2:2005
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3.2.2 normative element

COMMENTARY ON 3.2.2 element that describes the scope of the document, and which sets out
“Normative” is a frequently provisions
misunderstood term referring to a
very simple concept. It is applied to [ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, 2004, 3.8]
those elements that “set the
standard”, and without which there
would be no standard, and no
possibility of claiming compliance
with it. It therefore cannot be
applied to text, such as in this
commentary, that conveys
supplementary information or that
is essentially discursive.
3.2.3 informative element

COMMENTARY ON 3.2.3 element that provides additional useful information
Material such as that presented in
this column is deemed to be
“informative”.
3.2.4 required element

COMMENTARY ON 3.2.4 element, the presence of which in a document is obligatory
See 6.1.3 for the list of required
elements.
[ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, 2004, 3.10]
3.2.5 clause
basic component in the subdivision of text
3.2.6 annex
COMMENTARY ON 3.2.6 optional element, integral to a standard but containing material more
In some older British Standards the appropriately presented separately from its main provisions
term “appendix” has been used.
3.3 caution
instruction that draws attention to the risk of damage to the product,
process or surroundings
[BS 4884-1:1992, 2.1]
3.4 warning
information that draws attention to the risk of injury or death
[BS 4884-3:1992, 3.24]
3.5 figure
illustration in the form of a diagram, sketch, perspective drawing, graph,
chart, nomogram, photograph or one of a variety of engineering
drawings, e.g. dimensional, detail, assembly

BS 0-2:2005
4 Principles
4.1 General
COMMENTARY ON 4.1 A standard shall:
In very simple terms, a standard is
a) be complete within the limits given in its scope clause;
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an agreed way of doing something.

Standards serve a wide variety of b) be consistent, accurate and unambiguous;
needs and purposes, and are
applied to commodities, c) take full account of the current state of technical development;
technologies, services and d) provide a framework in which innovation can be accommodated
processes in order to promote their and supported; and
safety, compatibility and ease of
use. e) be readily comprehensible to those who might reasonably be
expected to use it (i.e. its target audience).
More specifically standards may be
used to: The type of standard used shall be selected as being the most
• streamline business processes appropriate for its purpose from amongst those defined in 3.1.
and facilitate national and Irrespective of its target audience, the provisions of a standard shall be
international trade and
drafted with due regard to the legitimate needs of the whole community,
communication;
• act as effective tools for the and, in particular, to those of the end users of its subject matter.
implementation of public policy
both in support of legislation
and outside a legislative
framework;
• codify good practice in support
of broader societal, consumer
and environmental interests.

BS 0-2:2005
4.2 Legal context

COMMENTARY ON 4.2 4.2.1 A standard shall not make any requirement in respect of
With a very few exceptions, compliance with the law or discharge of legal obligations.
standards do not have force of law:
the application of a standard is 4.2.2 The following statement shall appear in all British Standards in
almost always voluntary, although bold type at the end of the foreword:
standards are very often used in “Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from
support of legislation, and
legal obligations.”
compliance with a standard is
sometimes quoted in legislation as 4.2.3 In a British Standard that is accorded statutory recognition as a
offering a route to discharging legal means of complying with specific legal requirements (see BS 0-1:2005,
obligations. Annex A), the statement given in 4.2.2 shall be qualified by wording
such as:
It is important that those drafting
standards are quite clear about the “…. However, compliance with this British Standard is cited
distinction between in/under ... as a means of compliance with the … Act/Regulations”.
standardization and legislation
(see BS 0-1:2005, Annex A), and 4.2.4 Reference in a standard to products (including services),
that no confusion is reflected in the materials or systems that are the subject of intellectual property rights
text of a standard. (e.g. patents, registered designs or trade marks) shall be made only in
accordance with the appropriate provisions in BS 0-1:2005, 7.7.
It is a fundamental principle that
standards never make
requirements or recommendations
for compliance with particular
legislation. To do so would imply
that such compliance is optional;
standards users are expected to
obey the law regardless of whether
they comply with standards.
Legislation is constantly changing

and evolving, and no standard can
be expected to keep pace with these
changes. In order to prevent a
particular standard being
regarded as an authoritative
statement of current legislation, it
is rare for legislation to be quoted
or listed extensively. However, it is
good practice to draw readers’
attention to particular important
pieces of legislation that might
have an impact on the way in
which a standard is applied
(e.g. the Health and Safety at Work
etc. Act, 1974).
Standards are very often used as

the basis for contracts and it is
therefore particularly important
that they are drafted sufficiently
clearly and robustly as to be able to
withstand legal scrutiny.
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BS 0-2:2005
4.3 Audience
COMMENTARY ON 4.3 A standard shall be written in a style intended to be clearly understood
It is particularly important that the by its target audience.
target audience for each standard
is identified before detailed The intended audience of each standard, or discrete part thereof, shall
drafting begins. be identified, explicitly or implicitly, in the scope clause.
If it is particularly important that the execution of the provisions of a
If the identity of the audience is
standard is entrusted to appropriately qualified and competent people
unclear or confused, there is a risk
that: (e.g. where the procedures involved should only be performed by
• a standard might make people with specialist skills), a statement to this effect shall be included
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requirements of parties who are in the foreword.

in no position to comply with
them (e.g. in the case of a
specification for a domestic
appliance, making a
requirement on the end user for
it to be regularly serviced); or
• a standard will fail to attract its
target audience.
For the sake of clarity and

transparency, it is generally
desirable that each discrete
publication addresses one
audience only.
Where it is deemed necessary or

desirable for a standard to address
more than one audience, the other
audiences should ideally be
addressed in separate annexes,
and should be identified as such in
the scope clause. An example would
be of a product specification,
primarily addressing a
manufacturer, also containing a
small number of provisions
concerning storage or distribution
that might fall under the
responsibility of another party.
This need also arises in cases

where a generic standard has to
impose more stringent provisions
for use in particular applications,
e.g. military, aerospace.
Guidance on the drafting of

documents that explicitly address a
multiple audience (e.g. a code of
practice concerned with an
extended production chain) is
given in PD 6612.

BS 0-2:2005
4.4 Conformity, compliance and verifiability

COMMENTARY ON 4.4 Standards shall be drafted so as to conform to the requirements of
One of the main characteristics of a BS 0-1:2005, 5.8.
formal standard is that, when it is
fully and properly applied (see
4.3), the user should be able to
expect a high degree of consistency
and repeatability (i.e.
commonality) in the outcomes of its
provisions. The exact degree of
commonality will vary according
to the type of standard
(see Clause 5).
The achievement of such

commonality by a product or
process is termed “conformity” to
the standard. Its achievement by a
person or body (e.g. a company or
organization) is termed
“compliance”.
Note that “commonality” does not

imply uniformity, and that it
should only be sought and expected
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in respect of factors that are within

the scope of the standard. A simple
example would be a standard the
sole purpose of which is to specify
critical dimensions for a
particular product. For products
for which conformity to the
standard is claimed, it should be
expected that the specified
dimensions would be identical in
every case, irrespective of the
manufacturer, place or date of
manufacture. However, as no
requirements are stipulated in
respect of colour or materials of
construction, there should be no
such expectation in respect of these
factors. Indeed, the contrary is
likely as manufacturers often use
factors outside the scope of a
standard to achieve differentiation
of their products in the
marketplace.
The achievement of the appropriate

level of commonality demands that
the provisions of a standard are
objectively verifiable to the extent
appropriate to the type of standard.

BS 0-2:2005
4.5 Consistency
COMMENTARY ON 4.5 To ensure consistency throughout all British Standards, the text of
British Standards (including each shall, where appropriate, be in accordance with the relevant
implementations of European and British Standards and BSI policy documents for:
international standards) form a
large, mutually dependent and a) terminology;
constantly evolving body of b) principles and methods of terminology;
codified expertise and experience.
It is important that this body of c) quantities, units and symbols;
documentation has a high degree of
d) abbreviations;
consistency and compatibility.
Detailed requirements are e) bibliographic references;
therefore made in respect of
consistency and homogeneity. f) technical drawings;
g) graphical symbols;
A list of current British Standards
and technical committees relating h) limits and fits;
to the factors listed can be found in i) tolerancing of dimensions;
The BSI guide to standardization –
Section 2. j) uncertainty of measurement;
k) statistical methods;
l) environmental conditions and associated tests;
m) health, safety and the environment;
n) electromagnetic compatibility;
o) quality and conformity.
4.6 Planning
COMMENTARY ON 4.6 A standard shall be drafted in the most appropriate form for its purpose,
1) Before the drafting of a standard selected, at the outset of the work, from the types of standard defined
can begin, it is necessary to in 3.1.
identify all matters to be included,
and to establish the title, scope, Matters to be considered shall include:
structure, division into parts and a) the area to be standardized;
relationships between them and
with other standards. b) the intended users of the standard;
c) the types of standard or series of different standards that are
2) Evidence of compliance with the
requirements of this clause will be required to fulfil the need (see also 6.1.4 for requirements in
sought as part of BSI’s project respect of division into parts);
acceptance process (see d) the time and cost of implementing the standard, and the value or
BS 0-1:2005, 5.2).
benefits to the immediate and wider communities of its publication
3) If a series of similar or related and use;
standards is to be issued, it is e) the relationship between the standard and the wider body of
advisable to establish a model standards material, and with other documents relevant to its use,
document as the method of
such as regulations.
presentation to be followed to
ensure consistency within the
series.
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BS 0-2:2005
5 Requirements specific to different

types of standard
5.1 Specification
COMMENTARY ON 5.1 A specification shall be drafted as a coherent set of absolute
1) Great care has to be taken to requirements, each being objectively verifiable and constructed from
avoid drafting requirements that the point of view of a third party called upon to verify conformity.
are inherently not verifiable or
open ended (e.g.“all risks shall be Verification of conformity shall be possible equally by a first party
considered”). (e.g. supplier), a second party (e.g. purchaser) or an independent third
party.
For a requirement to be objectively
verifiable, it has to be physically Criteria for claiming compliance shall be stated in such a way as to
possible to determine whether or ensure that, whichever way the claim is made and supported, exactly the
not it has been met by a particular same requirements are satisfied.
item or system. Requirements that
Test methods prescribed within a specification shall conform to the
can only be verified by observing
the absence of breakdown or requirements of 5.3.1.
catastrophe do not constitute
verifiable requirements.
2) As a general principle,
performance requirements are
preferred to design requirements
as they are less likely to inhibit
innovation.
3) Requirements may, where

appropriate, be supplemented by
informative material presented in a
distinctive manner as exemplified
by this part of BS 0. Alternatively,
where informative material is brief
and infrequent, it may be provided
in the form of notes to the text.
Where it is a single significant piece
of information it may be included as
an informative annex. Further
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guidance can be found in The BSI

guide to standardization – Section 2.

BS 0-2:2005
5.2 Code of practice

COMMENTARY ON 5.2 A code of practice shall be drafted to reflect current good practice as
A code of practice should be employed by competent and conscientious practitioners, taking into
expected to reflect the typical needs account the current state of technological development, and giving due
of its intended user community and regard to the appropriate balance between fitness for purpose and cost
their customers, and give
of implementation.
particular regard to matters of
public safety. However, it might not It shall be drafted in the form of recommendations and guidance; it shall
necessarily reflect “best practice” not contain requirements.
in absolute terms, especially in
circumstances where such levels of The following statement shall be included in the foreword of every code
excellence might only rarely be of practice to distinguish it from a specification.
required or affordable. Such cases
“As a code of practice, this British Standard takes the form of
are generally best dealt with by
contract. guidance and recommendations. It should not be quoted as if it were
a specification and particular care should be taken to ensure that
The normative provisions of a code claims of compliance are not misleading.
of practice are expressed as
Any user claiming compliance with this British Standard is expected
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recommendations, and in some
cases it might be neither feasible
to be able to justify any course of action that deviates from its
nor necessary to seek absolute recommendations.”
objective verifiability. However,
users claiming compliance with a
code of practice should be expected
to be able to justify any course of
action that deviates from its
recommendations, and a statement
to this effect should be made in the
foreword.
5.3 Method
5.3.1 Method of test

COMMENTARY ON 5.3.1 A method shall be drafted so as to ensure that all the procedures it
Reference should be made to prescribes are repeatable and reproducible and their outcomes
BS ISO 78-2 for guidance on the consistent, to the extent appropriate to the stated scope of the standard.
preferred way of presenting a
method of test.
The same principles apply to

methods contained within other
types of standards.
5.3.2 Method of specifying

COMMENTARY ON 5.3.2 A method of specifying shall be drafted to give the characteristics of a
The BSI guide to standardization – product, material, process or system from which selection has to be
Section 2 gives further detail made and for which values might have to be agreed between purchaser
concerning the drafting of and manufacturer.
standards for which some
provisions depend on documented A method of specifying shall also establish definitions and methods of
agreement between two verification and give guidance on factors to be considered in
contracting parties. determining values for characteristics.
A method of specifying shall, where appropriate, provide the basis for
understanding and agreement between contracting parties, by giving
direction for the formulation of enquiries and the placing of tenders and
orders.

BS 0-2:2005
5.4 Guide
COMMENTARY ON 5.4 A guide shall be drafted in the form of guidance, supported by
A generally discursive and non- recommendations where appropriate. It shall not contain requirements.
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prescriptive document such as a

guide does not lend itself to claims
of compliance. However, it is good
practice to employ as many as
possible of the disciplines
appropriate to other types of
standard.
5.5 Vocabulary
COMMENTARY ON 5.5 A vocabulary, being a compendium of terms and definitions, shall be
Older standards of this type were drafted in accordance with the requirements applying to those elements
frequently called “glossaries” or of a standard (see 7.8.4), and also in accordance with ISO 10241.
“nomenclatures”; terms that can
still be encountered.
5.6 Classification
A classification standard shall designate and describe different grades
of a product, or identify and arrange data in hierarchical order.
5.7 Draft for development

COMMENTARY ON 5.7 A draft for development, being a potential British Standard, shall in all
A draft for development may be respects be drafted in the manner appropriate to a formal standard of the
developed as such from the outset. same type (e.g. specification, method).
Alternatively, a document initially
envisaged as being a formal British However, in order to alert the user to the status and context of a draft
Standard might sometimes be for development, and in particular to the fact that it cannot be regarded
published as a draft for as a formal British Standard, the text prescribed in The BSI guide to
development if it becomes apparent standardization – Section 2 shall always appear in the document.
during its development that it
would benefit from an extended
period of trial and consultation.
5.8 Auxiliary publication

COMMENTARY ON 5.8 If an auxiliary publication, such as a reference card, colour chart, map
If the need for an auxiliary or test sheet, is to be issued as an adjunct to a British Standard, it shall
publication is identified, it should be developed for publication in accordance with the same procedures as
be discussed with appropriate BSI other British Standards and shall carry the number of the main standard
staff as early as possible in the
with a suffix letter (e.g. “BS 5261C”).
development process.
6 Structure, divisions and elements

6.1 Structure
6.1.1 Every standard, whether issued on its own or as a part in a series
of standards, shall apply to a single discrete subject.
6.1.2 Every standard shall have a unique identification number.

BS 0-2:2005
6.1.3 Every standard shall have a logical, coherent structure. As a

minimum, it shall include the following elements:
a) a title;
b) a foreword;
c) the scope statement (see 7.7); and
d) main text with provisions.
6.1.4 If a standard is subdivided into parts, each part shall be
designated by an arabic numeral, e.g. “BS 0-2” for Part 2 of BS 0.
6.2 Elements of text
6.2.1 Part
COMMENTARY ON 6.2.1 A standard shall be divided into parts if:
Other than an auxiliary
publication (see 5.8), a “part” is the
a) some provisions only will be of particular interest to separate
only subdivision of a standard that groups of users, e.g. performance, quality assessment;
is published as a discrete document b) some provisions will be restricted to a single user interface, e.g. in
(see also the commentary on 6.2.2). a product standard, between purchaser and supplier;
c) different types of standard are needed, e.g. a specification and a
code of practice;
the subject is extensive and the time required to produce all the
information in one document would be unacceptable.
6.2.2 Section
COMMENTARY ON 6.2.2 Where it is considered desirable to divide a standard (or part of a
The use of sections within a long, standard) into groups of related, sequential clauses, such divisions shall
complex standard (or part thereof) be designated as “sections”.
can be a very useful navigational
tool.
Sections are no longer produced as

separately published documents.
6.2.3 Clause
The text of each standard and each part of a standard shall be
subdivided into clauses.
6.2.4 Subclause
COMMENTARY ON 6.2.4 Subdivisions of a clause shall take the form of primary subclauses
The extent to which it is necessary to (e.g. “2.1”), divided, if necessary, into further numbered subclauses
number individual elements of text and/or un-numbered paragraphs.
is largely a matter for subjective
judgement. Further guidance can
be found in The BSI guide to
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BS 0-2:2005
7 Drafting
7.1 General
Text shall be clear, succinct and logical. There shall be no
contradictions or inconsistencies within the text. Provisions once
specified shall not be varied or undermined by subsequent text.
Normative provisions shall be clearly distinguishable from informative
material. Informative text shall never be used to modify or qualify a
normative provision.
Provisions shall be expressed in terms consistent with the objectives of
the standard as set out in the scope clause, for example a specification
for a product shall specify the attributes of the product, not the actions
of users.
If it is necessary to state certain inescapable facts or requirements that
are relevant to the scope of the standard but apply outside its
provisions, they shall be referred to in informative text, with the
regulatory, safety or other reasons explained.
7.2 Terminology
Every term used in a standard or series of standards shall be used in only
one sense, and only one term shall be used for a single concept,
regardless of whether the term is defined in the terms and definitions
clause (see 7.8.4).
Where a technical term is defined in a standard, it shall be used only in
the sense defined, and shall be presented in a consistent manner
throughout the standard.
Where a technical term is not defined, it shall be used in the sense
generally accepted by specialists in the subject. If some other more
specialized or limited meaning is given to a term, the term and its
concept shall be included in the terms and definitions clause.
The term “weight” (see also 9.2) shall not be used to mean a mass or
force; it shall be used only to indicate a physical item (e.g. a block of
metal).
7.3 Title
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COMMENTARY ON 7.3 The title shall appear on the front cover.

Detailed prescriptions for the
structuring of titles are to be found
The wording of the title shall be as concise as possible and consistent
in The BSI guide to standardization – with the titles of other similar standards. It shall identify the subject of
Section 2. the standard in such a way as to distinguish it from that of other
standards, without including unnecessary detail. Any necessary
additional details shall be given in the scope clause.

BS 0-2:2005
7.4 Publishing information
7.4.1 Publication date

The date of publication shall be given.
Unless otherwise indicated in the foreword (see 7.5), the publication
date shall also be the effective date. If the effective date is not known at
the time of publication because, for example, legislation is pending, the
statement “This standard comes into effect on a date to be announced”
shall be included.
When the effective date becomes known, it shall be announced by the
issue of an amendment.
A standard dealing with the safety of consumer products shall not have
a deferred effective date.
7.4.2 Previous editions

The dates and, where appropriate, any different identifiers, of all
previous editions shall be given.
7.5 Foreword
The foreword shall not contain provisions of the standard.
The foreword shall contain:
a) the title of the committee, and where appropriate, the sub-
committee, responsible for the drafting of the standard; and
b) prescribed wording concerning contractual and legal
considerations (see 4.2.2 and 4.2.3), followed by any information
regarding relevant statutory regulations,
together with as much of the following information as is appropriate:
c) the effective date of the standard if this is different from the
publication date, and the reasons for this difference;
d) standards, including previous editions, that, as a result of the
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publication currently being drafted, are now superseded, partially
superseded and/or withdrawn;
e) a description of the standard’s relationship to other national,
European, international and foreign standards;
f) acknowledgement of copyright material;
g) reference to relevant international work;
h) for a revision, a statement of the standard’s relationship with, and
principal changes from, the previous edition, particularly if the
revision:
1) does not entirely supersede the previous edition;
2) has a different identifier;
3) contains provisions that affect the interchangeability of
products conforming to the previous edition;
i) any problems in preparation (e.g. matters omitted because
agreement could not be reached);
j) acknowledgement of copyright material;

BS 0-2:2005
k) note of commendation from a government department or agency

(e.g. Health and Safety Executive);
l) hazard warnings;
m) a statement to the effect that a standard is designed for use by
appropriately qualified and competent people (see 4.3);
n) in a code of practice, reference to the possibility of confusion with
a specification (see 5.2);
o) a statement of the presentational conventions used in the standard.
7.6 Introduction
COMMENTARY ON 7.6 Where included, the introduction shall be positioned after the foreword.
An introduction can be useful in If numbered, it shall be numbered as Clause 0.
cases where it is felt necessary to
explain the context and broader It shall not contain provisions of the standard.
background to a standard. It is the
appropriate place in which to refer
to factors such as research,
academic, social or legislative
developments that might have had
a bearing on the development of a
standard.
7.7 Scope
COMMENTARY ON 7.7 The scope clause, the first normative element of a standard, shall be
The significance of the scope numbered as Clause 1.
statement cannot be overstated. It
serves not only to define and The scope clause shall be drafted in precise detail, once the objectives
delimit the standard, but also the of the standard have been decided. It shall:
work of those involved in its a) give the objectives of the standard, identifying what is to be
development.
standardized and for whose benefit (see 4.3);
Agreeing and drafting the scope b) define the content of the standard in sufficient detail to ensure that
clause can be an extended and all of the normative elements fall within the stated scope;
difficult task, but is one without
which a standardization project c) state any limitations that are not implicit, particularly if they might
cannot proceed. It should therefore otherwise be unexpected;
be one of the very first tasks at the
d) be able to stand as a definition of the function of the standard,
inception of a project, and a robust
which could be used, if necessary, in the event of a dispute.
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yet succinct scope statement is an

essential part of the approval
documentation required for
inclusion of a project in BSI’s work
programme.
It should also be remembered that

the scope statement is often used as
the basis for bibliographical
abstracts and promotional
material.

BS 0-2:2005
7.8 References
7.8.1 General
COMMENTARY ON 7.8.1 References shall be employed when it is either necessary or desirable to
The use of material that appears in cite material in another publication (e.g. a test method) that cannot
another document frequently saves practically be included in the standard being drafted.
unnecessary duplication and
ensures that a coherent body of References to other documents shall be determined as being normative
standards material is developed (i.e. indispensable to the full compliance with a standard) or informative
and maintained (see 4.5 and (i.e. providing supplementary information or guidance), and shall be
BS 0-1:2005, 4.6). The decision as listed accordingly as prescribed in 7.8.2 and 7.8.3.
to whether to reproduce such
material, or to make a reference to
it, is largely subjective and has to
be based on a wide variety of
factors such as availability,
ownership, scale and the probable
needs of the user. Guidance is
available from BSI staff.
7.8.2 Normative references

7.8.2.1 General
If normative references are required in a standard, they shall be listed
in Clause 2 using the standard prefatory wording exemplified in this
part of BS 0.
7.8.2.2 Normative reference to other standards

COMMENTARY ON 7.8.2.2 In order to form part of a coherent set of standards (BS 0-1:2005, 4.6),
References should be dated (i.e. provisions needed in drafting a new standard shall be made either:
include the publication date of the
document in question) when • explicitly; or
reference is made to a specific • by reference to those appearing in another standard or standards.
element (e.g. clause, figure, table)
that is liable to change in any Where, in respect of a single provision, reference is made to more than
subsequent edition. one standard, criteria shall be given for determining which standard is
appropriate.
Where the reference is general and
it can reasonably be assumed that
the latest edition will always be the
most appropriate for the purpose,
the reference should be undated.
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Undated references are preferable

as the relationship between the two
standards is easier to manage, the
referenced document is likely to be
more readily available and the
user will, by implication, have the
benefit of the most recent
consideration of the subject.
Further guidance is given in

The BSI Guide to standardization –
Section 2.

BS 0-2:2005
7.8.2.3 Normative reference to documents other than public

standards
COMMENTARY ON 7.8.2.3 Normative reference shall not be made to material that is:
In principle, referenced documents
should be published by formal
• not publicly available;
public standards bodies (e.g. BSI, • not readily accessible;
ISO, IEC) and reference to a
European or international • known to be of unstable or ephemeral nature.
standard should be to the BS
adoption of it (e.g. BS EN ISO ...
rather than ISO ...).
However, there are occasions when

it is necessary or desirable to make
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normative reference to documents

(e.g. dictionaries, websites)
outside the body of public
standards. In such cases, further
guidance is given in The BSI Guide
to standardization – Section 2.
7.8.3 Informative references

If reference is made to any publication for background information or
other informative purpose, bibliographic details of the publication shall
be given in a separate element entitled “Bibliography”.
7.8.4 Terms and definitions

COMMENTARY ON 7.8.4 A technical term shall be used in the sense defined in an appropriate
1) Where appropriate, the terms vocabulary standard. If some other more specialized or limited meaning
and definitions clause may be is given to a term, the term and its concept shall be included in the terms
expanded to include, in separate and definitions clause.
subclauses, lists of recurrent
abbreviations and symbols. Only those terms used in the standard and requiring definition shall be
defined in the terms and definitions clause. Terms used in their normal
2) Before drafting new definitions, dictionary sense shall not be included unless there is obvious risk of
a check should be made on related ambiguity.
standards in the same subject area,
and on appropriate vocabulary Definitions shall be confined to providing a succinct definition of a term,
standards (e.g. BS 6100, and shall not contain any further provisions of the standard. They shall
IEC 60050) to see whether an be drafted in accordance with the rules given in The BSI guide to
appropriate definition already standardization – Section 2, as exemplified in Clause 3 of this part of
exists. Multiple definitions of a
BS 0.
single term are strongly
discouraged.
3) It is acceptable to amplify a
definition in accompanying
informative text.

BS 0-2:2005
7.9 Annexes
COMMENTARY ON 7.9 An annex shall be included only if reference to it is made in the main
A single annex may be designated text of the standard.
simply as “Annex” and does not
need to carry an identifier. Any Annexes shall follow the main text, arranged in the order in which they
reference to it in the main text can are first cited. Multiple annexes shall each be identified by capital letters
be in a form such as “A.4.1”. in alphabetical order, beginning with “A”.
The annex designation shall be followed by “(normative)” or
If an annex contains only a single
clause, there is likewise no need for “(informative)” according to whether or not it is indispensable for the
it to bear a clause number. application of the document. The title of the annex shall follow on a
separate line.
An informative annex shall not contain any provisions of the standard.
7.10 Footnotes
COMMENTARY ON 7.10 Footnotes to the main text shall not contain provisions of a standard.
Footnotes may be used to supply
useful but incidental information
Whilst footnotes to tables and figures may contain provisions,
such as: informative and normative text shall not be combined within a single
footnote.
a) conversion factors;
b) the status of a referenced

document at the time of
publication;
c) contact information for

suppliers of trade-marked
equipment;
d) contact information for holders

of relevant intellectual property
rights.
7.11 Index
If an index is required, it shall be prepared in accordance with
BS ISO 999.
7.12 Tables and figures

Each table or figure shall be introduced by a statement in the text that
makes clear its relevance and status (i.e. normative or informative).
The normative or informative status of a table or figure shall be
indicated by the way it is referenced in the text.
It is permissible to incorporate Tables and figures shall be set out in a form that is simple and direct.
graphics within tables, or tabular The use of large, complex tables or figures shall be avoided, e.g. by
material within figures. presenting the information in two or more simple items.
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BS 0-2:2005
8 Verbal forms used in standards

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8.1 Auxiliary verbs

COMMENTARY ON CLAUSE 8.1 Auxiliary verbs shall be used consistently throughout a standard, in the
1) Further guidance on this, and form appropriate to the nature of the standard (see Clauses 3 and 5), as
other aspects of linguistic style to be given in Table 1.
used in British Standards, can be
found in The BSI guide to
Table 1 Verbal forms

Verb Implication Typical context
shall requirement normative element of a specification
should recommendation — normative element of a code of
practice
— informative element of any standard
2) A distinction is drawn between may permission informative element of any standard
“may”, used to indicate
permissibility, and “might”, used (within the stated
to indicate possibility or limits of a standard,
probability. to adopt a particular
course of action)
can possibility and informative element of any standard
capability
is description — normative element of a method
— informative element of any standard
In order to avoid confusion between the requirements of the standard

and external statutory obligations, the auxiliary “must” shall not be used
to express a provision of a standard.
8.2 Imperative mood

The imperative mood shall be used in procedural instructions, e.g. in a
method: “Put out the light”.
8.3 Present tense for description

The present tense shall be used if there is need for description, e.g. of
apparatus in a method: “Four struts support the platform”.
9 Spelling and presentation

9.1 Spelling
COMMENTARY ON 9.1 Other than in the case of “sulfur”, spelling shall be in the form given in
Attention is drawn to the possibility The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary. Technical terms that do not
of confusion in the spelling of verbs appear in that dictionary shall be in the form given in the
ending in “-ize”, “-ise” or “yse”, Chambers Dictionary of Science and Technology.
e.g. “standardize” or “analyse”.
The form listed first in the relevant In the case of “sulfur” (and its derivatives), the International Union of
entry in The Shorter Oxford English Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) spelling shall be used.
Dictionary should be used.

BS 0-2:2005
The spelling and abbreviations of names of, for example, organizations

or publishers shall be those by which they refer to themselves.
If the dictionary gives more than one form of spelling, the form that is
given first shall be used.
9.2 Quantities, units and symbols

COMMENTARY ON 9.2 Unless otherwise agreed, the International System of units (SI) shall be
Whilst SI units are strongly used for units of measurement, including those additional units that are
preferred, it is recognized that, for recognized internationally for use with SI. Symbols for units shall
some applications it is normal conform to the appropriate part of BS ISO 31.
practice to employ other units or
systems of units. Such usage, if Any use of a non-SI unit shall be only by concession, and shall be
soundly justified, may be reflected accompanied in the standard by a footnote giving the conversion factor
in a British Standard by to the appropriate SI equivalent.
agreement with BSI staff (see also
The BSI guide to standardization – Symbols for logarithmic quantities used in electronics (e.g. decibels and
Section 2). nepers) and their usage shall be in accordance with BS 7998-3.
To avoid ambiguity in the use of the term “weight” (see also 7.2), the
text shall make clear whether force, expressed in newtons, or mass,
expressed in kilograms is intended.
The term “billion” shall not be used.
9.3 Presentation
All matters of content and presentation not otherwise prescribed in this
part of BS 0-2 shall be in accordance with The BSI guide to
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BS 0-2:2005
Bibliography
BS ISO 78-2, Chemistry – Layout for standards – Methods of
chemical analysis
BS 4884-1:1992, Technical manuals – Specification for
presentation of essential information
BS 6100 (all parts), Glossary of building and civil engineering
terms
PD 6612, Guidance on the preparation of codes of practice for
building
IEC 60050 (all parts), International Electrotechnical Vocabulary
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, Rules for structure and drafting of
International Standards

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BS 0-2:2005

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BS0-2:2005
BSI – British Standards Institution

BSI is the independent national body responsible for preparing British Standards.
It presents the UK view on standards in Europe and at the international level.
It is incorporated by Royal Charter.
Revisions
British Standards are updated by amendment or revision. Users of British Standards
should make sure that they possess the latest amendments or editions.
It is the constant aim of BSI to improve the quality of our products and services.
We would be grateful if anyone finding an inaccuracy or ambiguity while using this
British Standard would inform the Secretary of the technical committee responsible,
the identity of which can be found on the inside back cover.
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Copyright
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Copyright subsists in all BSI publications. BSI also holds the copyright, in the UK, of
the publications of the international standardization bodies. Except as permitted
under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 no extract may be reproduced,
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NO COPYING WITHOUT BSI PERMISSION EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY COPYRIGHT LAW

Publishing and copyright information

© BSI 14 DECEMBER 2005

ISBN 0 580 47377 5

The following BSI references relate to the work on this standard:

Amendments issued since publication

Amd. no. Date Text affected

Copyright British Standards Institution

Copyright British Standards Institution

Relationship with other publications

Information about this document

Contractual and legal considerations

ii • © BSI DECEMBER 2005

order to strengthen the ability of this type of standard to support

Copyright British Standards Institution

3 Terms and definitions

3.1 types of standard (and related documents)

2 • © BSI DECEMBER 2005

3.1.4 code of practice

3.1.7 draft for development

3.2 elements of a standard

Copyright British Standards Institution

3.2.2 normative element

3.2.3 informative element

3.2.4 required element

4 • © BSI DECEMBER 2005

an agreed way of doing something.

Copyright British Standards Institution

4.2 Legal context

Legislation is constantly changing

Standards are very often used as

6 • © BSI DECEMBER 2005

requirements of parties who are in the foreword.

For the sake of clarity and

Where it is deemed necessary or

This need also arises in cases

Guidance on the drafting of

Copyright British Standards Institution

4.4 Conformity, compliance and verifiability

The achievement of such

Note that “commonality” does not

in respect of factors that are within

The achievement of the appropriate

8 • © BSI DECEMBER 2005

Copyright British Standards Institution

5 Requirements specific to different

3) Requirements may, where

guidance can be found in The BSI

10 • © BSI DECEMBER 2005

5.2 Code of practice

5.3.1 Method of test

The same principles apply to

5.3.2 Method of specifying

Copyright British Standards Institution

prescriptive document such as a

5.7 Draft for development

5.8 Auxiliary publication

6 Structure, divisions and elements

12 • © BSI DECEMBER 2005