This International Standard: specifies how a user may follow a standard welding procedure specification (SWPS) based on welding procedure qualification tests performed by a different organisation; specifies the limitations on the use of SWPSs; specifies the requirements for qualification of welding procedures to be issued as SWPSs; specifies the requirements for organizations adopting SWPSs. The use of this standard can be restricted by an application standard or a specification.