This International Standard specifies requirements relating to multipurpose test specimens for plastic moulding materials intended for processing by injection or direct compression moulding. Specimens of types A and B are tensile test specimens from which, with simple machining, specimens for a variety of other tests can be taken (see annex A). Because they have such wide utility, these tensile specimens are referred to in this International Standard as multipurpose test specimens. The principal advantage of a multipurpose test specimen is that it allows all the test methods mentioned in annex A to be carried out on the basis of comparable mouldings. Consequently, the properties measured are coherent as all are measured with specimens in the same state. In other words, it can be expected that test results for a given set of specimens will not vary appreciably due to unintentionally different moulding conditions. On the other hand, if desired, the influence of moulding conditions and/or different states of the specimens can be assessed without difficulty for all of the properties measured. For quality-control purposes, the multipurpose test specimen may serve as a convenient source of further specimens not readily available. Furthermore, the fact that only one mould is required may be advantageous. The use of multipurpose test specimens shall be agreed upon by the interested parties, because there may be significant differences between properties of the multipurpose test specimens and those specified in the relevant test methods. The main modification with respect to the previous edition of this International Standard lies in narrowing the tolerances on the radius of the shoulder of specimen types A and B. Taking into account the fact that many moulds based on the previous edition are still in use, the changes are introduced as recommendations only. It is intended to change from recommended to mandatory use at the next revision. Thereby a time span of about 10 years is provided, allowing a gradual transition in the course of regular mould replacement. See also annex B.