This series of parts applies to the phases of the conformance testing process, these phases being characterised by the following major activities: the definition of abstract test suites for ISO 10303 application protocols, the definition of abstract test methods for ISO 10303 implementation methods, the conformance assessment process carried out by a testing laboratory for a client, culminating in the production of a conformance test report. This part is applicable to all of the above activities, providing introductory material, normative requirements on each part of the series, and definitions of common terms and concepts.