This standard establishes minimum requirements for manufacturing and supply chain traceability based on perceived risk. This standard applies to all products, processes, assemblies, parts, components, equipment used and other items as defined by users and suppliers in the manufacture of printed board assemblies, as well as mechanical assembly and printed board fabrication. This standard is applicable both for internal traceability (i.e., traceability within the environment in which the product is assembled) and external traceability (i.e., as products and materials are moved between locations as part of their supply chain).

Minimum requirements are based on four levels of traceability for materials and processes. These levels can correlate to the IPC Product Classification System (Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Space/Defense/Medical) and/or another set of categories of compliance, based on the business model/economic needs of the end-use market for the final product (e.g., telecom, aerospace, automotive, medical device, consumer electronics) or a subassembly within that product.