1.1 This guide provides guidelines for reporting inorganic and organic results of analyses of drinking water, waste water, process water, ground water, and surface water, and so forth, to laboratory clients in a complete and systematic fashion.

1.2 The reporting of bacterial and radiological data are not addressed in this guide.

1.3 The commonly used data qualifiers for reviewing and reporting information are listed and defined. Client and laboratory specific requirements may make use of other qualifiers. This guide does not preclude the use of other data qualifiers.

1.4 This guide discusses procedures for and specific problems in the reporting of low level data, potential errors (Type I and Type II), and reporting data that are below the calculated method detection limit and above the analyte.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.