This NORSOK standard specifies general principles and guidelines for determination of characteristic actions and action effects for design, assessment and verification of structures. Reference is made to NORSOK N 001 (and NORSOK N 006) as to how this standard is to be used to achieve the desired safety level for new and existing structures.

This NORSOK standard is applicable to all types of offshore structures used in the petroleum activities, including bottom-founded structures as well as floating structures, including substructures, topside structures, vessel hulls, foundations, mooring systems, risers and subsea facilities.

This NORSOK standard is primarily written for the design of new facilities on the Norwegian continental shelf (including the continental shelf of Svalbard) as defined by NPD 16.06.2014, but the principles may also be applicable for other areas.