1

Scope

This International Standard is applicable to software packages. Examples are text processors, spreadsheets, data base programs, graphics packages, programs for technical or scientific functions, and utility programs.

It establishes

- requirements for software packages (quality requirements); - instructions on how to test a software package against these requirements (instructions for testing, in particular for third party testing).

It deals only with software packages as offered and delivered. It does not deal with their production process (including activities and intermediate products, e.g. specifications). The quality system of a supplier is outside the scope of this International Standard.

NOTE - Some software needs additional requirements, e.g. safety- critical software.

The intended users of this International Standard include

(a) suppliers when

(1) specifying requirements for a software package; (2) designing a form to describe products; (3) assessing their own products; (4) issuing declarations of conformity [ISO/IEC Guide 22]; (5) applying for certificates or marks of conformity [ISO/IEC Guide 23];

(b) certification bodies which may wish to establish a third- party certification scheme (international, regional or national) [ISO/IEC Guides 16, 28 and 44];

(c) testing laboratories which will have to follow the instructions for testing when testing for a certificate or mark of conformity [ISO/IEC Guide 25];

(d) accreditation bodies for accrediting certification bodies and testing laboratories [ISO/IEC Guides 40 and 58];

(e) auditors of testing laboratories when assessing their competence [ISO/IEC Guide 58];

(f) buyers who may

(1) compare their requirements with those described here; (2) compare the requirements for the intended work task with the information in product descriptions of existing products; (3) look for certified products; (4) check otherwise if the requirements are met;

(g) users who may profit from better products.