ISO 13584 provides a representation of parts library information together with the necessary mechanisms and definitions to enable parts library data to be exchanged, used and updated. The exchange may be between different computer systems and environments associated with the complete life cycle of the products where the library parts may be used, including product design, manufacture, use, maintenance, and disposal. The standard provides a generalized structure for a parts library system and does not define a fully detailed implementable parts library system.

This part of ISO 13584 provides an overview of the ISO 13584 standard and its structure.

The following are within the scope of this part of ISO 13584:

• a summary of the content of the other parts of the ISO 13584 standard series;
• fundamental principles upon which the ISO 13584 standard is based.

The following are outside the scope of this part of ISO 13584:

• the information models defined for capturing parts library data;
• the definition of the implementation resources needed to process parts library data.