This International Standard specifies the framework, concepts and methodology for testing and criteria to be achieved to claim conformance to the family of ISO geographic information standard. It provides a framework for specifying abstract test suites (ATS) and for defining the procedures to be followed during conformance testing. Conformance may be claimed for data or software products or services or by specifications including any profile or functional standard. Standardization of test methods and criteria for conformance to geographic information standards will allow verification of conformance to those standards. Verifiable conformance is important to geographic information users, in order to achieve data transfer and sharing. This International Standard is applicable to all the phases of conformance and testing. It specifies the requirements for, and gives guidance on, the procedures to be followed in conformance testing for the ISO geographic information standards and it provides a framework for certification (an administrative procedure which may follow conformance testing) in informative annex B. The framework established by this International Standard includes the concept of executable test suites (ETS). These, by their very nature, cannot be standardized; consequently, standardization of ETS is outside the scope of this International Standard.