The main object of this part of ISO 9276 is to provide the mathematical background for the characterization of a classification process. This part of ISO 9276 is not limited to an application in particle size analysis, the same procedure may be used for the characterization of a technical classification process (e.g. air classification, centrifugal classification) or a separation process (e.g. gas or hydrocyclones).

In clause 3 the characterization of a classification process is described under the presupposition that the density distribution curves describing the feed material and the fractions, as well as the overall mass balance, are free from errors. In clause 4 the influence of systematic errors on the efficiency of a classification process is described. The effect of stochastic errors in the characterization of a classification process is described in annex A.