The Form and Style for ASTM Standards 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 B05 recognizes the need to provide a supplementary document pertaining to the types of products and materials covered by specifications under its jurisdiction.

This guide contains a list of sections to be considered for inclusion in a specification for copper and copper alloys, recommended wording, or both, for such sections. An electronic template including committee adopted language is included in the Appendix.

Persons drafting new product specifications, or modifying existing ones, under the jurisdiction of Committee B05, should follow this guide and the requirements of the Form and Style Manual to ensure consistency.

1.1 This guide covers the editorial procedures and form and style for product specifications under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B05 on Copper and Copper Alloys.

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).

1.2 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 within ASTM Committee B05 on Copper and Copper Alloys. This guide is to be applied in conjunction with the Form and Style Manual. The Appendix contains a copy of the B05 electronic template which includes adopted language for various sections and provides a template for drafting B05 specifications.

The contents of this guide were previously maintained as a white paper under the title, "ASTM Committee B05 Outline of Form of Specifications."

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

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 the Form and Style Manual section on patents and trademarks. Also, refer to part F of the Form and Style Manual for trademark information and the safety hazards caveat.