IEC Guide 113:2000 is written to assist companies which have to develop materials declaration questionnaires for products, for instance as part of purchase specifications. It intends to increase the harmonization and the comparability of the various questionnaires. This is supposed to lead to cost reduction, both for those sending questionnaires and for those answering them, but it must be kept in mind that the possibilities for harmonizing the materials declaration questionnaires are limited because of the differing needs of those requiring information, and because of the continual changes of the hazardous materials lists. This guideline is not prescriptive.