4.1 The Form and Style Manual provides mandatory requirements and recommended practices for the preparation and content of ASTM specifications. In order to promote consistency in the style and content of product specifications under its jurisdiction, Committee A01 recognizes the need to provide a supplementary document pertaining to the types of products and materials covered by those specifications.

4.2 This guide contains a list of sections to be considered for inclusion in a specification for steel, stainless steel, and related alloy products, and guidance or recommended wording, or both, for such sections.

4.3 Persons drafting new product specifications, or modifying existing ones, under the jurisdiction of Committee A01, should follow this guide and the requirements of the Form and Style Manual to ensure consistency.

1.1 This guide covers the editorial form and style for product specifications under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01.

Note 1: For standards other than product specifications, such as test methods, practices, and guides, see the appropriate sections of Form and Style for ASTM Standards (Blue Book).2

1.2 Subcommittees preparing new product specifications or revising existing ones should follow the practices and procedures outlined herein, and be guided by the latest specification covering similar commodities.

1.3 This guide has been prepared as a supplement to the current edition of the Form and Style Manual, and is appropriate for use by the subcommittees to Committee A01. This guide is to be applied in conjunction with the Form and Style Manual.

1.4 If a conflict exists between this guide and the mandatory sections of the current edition of the Form and Style Manual, the Form and Style Manual requirements have precedence. If a conflict exists between this guide and the nonmandatory sections of the current edition of the Form and Style Manual, the guide has precedence.

1.5 When patents are involved, the specifications writer should refer to section F3 of the Form and Style Manual. Also, refer to part F of the Form and Style Manual for trademark information and the safety hazards caveat.

1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.