This International Standard establishes and harmonizes the basic principles and methods for preparing and compiling terminologies both inside and outside the framework of standardization.

This International Standard describes the links between objects, concepts, and their representations through the use of terminologies. It also establishes general principles governing the formation of designations and the formulation of definitions. Full and complete understanding of these principles requires some background knowledge of terminology. The principles are general in nature and this International Standard is applicable to terminology work in scientific, technological, industrial, administrative, and other fields of knowledge.

This International Standard does not stipulate procedures for the layout of International Terminology Standards that are treated in ISO 10241.