This part of International Standard 81346, published jointly by IEC and ISO defines classes and subclasses of objects based on a purpose- or task-related view of the objects, together with their associated letter codes to be used in reference designations.

The classification is applicable for objects in all technical areas, e.g. electrical, mechanical and civil engineering as well as all branches of industry, e.g. energy, chemical industry, building technology, shipbuilding and marine technology, and can be used by all technical disciplines in any design process.