This International Standard specifies manufacturing methods and materials that will result in durable hard cover and soft cover binding for books manufactured in commercial quantities. It does not apply to hand bookbinding, individual casing or binding of archival matter. Nor does it apply to fine binding which does not serve its normal purpose of primarily protecting a book block (such as sculptural art formed around book-like material).

This International Standard has two normative annexes and one annex with a set of guidelines, each specifying the requirements for its special category of binding.

Category A binding (annex A) is intended

• for books of permanent retention;
• for books produced with a view to heavy use over prolonged periods, e.g. reference works;
• for valuable volumes requiring lasting protection;
• for items having lasting aesthetic value.

Category B binding (annex B) is intended

• for books and periodicals in soft cover and of permanent retention;
• for books and periodicals produced with a view to heavy use over prolonged periods;
• for valuable volumes requiring lasting protection;
• for items having aesthetic value.

Guidelines that specify recommended manufacturing methods and materials for soft cover and hard cover adhesive-bound books are given in annex C. Annex D contains information regarding the fields of application suggested for category A and B bindings and for adhesive-bound books.