This International Standard specifies the requirements for the laboratory testing of the resistivity of specially prepared specimens of plastics rendered conductive by the inclusion of carbon black. The test is suitable for materials of resistivity less than 10⁶ Ω·cm (10⁴ Ω·m). The result is not strictly a volume resistivity, because of surface conduction, but the effects of the latter are generally negligible.

The principle of the four‑terminal method of test is mandatory and the recommended specimen size and electrode design must be adhered to for reference purposes, but it may sometimes be necessary to test a wider strip with electrodes of a different construction.