This document specifies principles and gives guidance for developing normative documents that contain: specified requirements for the object of conformity assessment; specific methods and procedures for an individual conformity assessment activity (e.g. test methods); rules and methodology for conformity assessment (as part of conformity assessment schemes, including provisions for organizations that perform conformity assessment activities). This document is intended for the following users: standards developers; regulatory authorities; conformity assessment scheme owners; industry associations and consortia; conformity assessment bodies; accreditation bodies; purchasers; consumers and non-governmental groups; other interested parties, e.g. insurance organizations.