1.1   This guidance document provides metallurgical characterization information that may be beneficial in the evaluation of absorbable metallic materials intended for medical implant applications. This guide is primarily intended for absorbable metallic materials that undergo further processing into a fabricated final device. Therefore, this standard does not require assessments that are more appropriately conducted on the final device, such as biological evaluation. However, a few relevant standards for finished implant devices are included for information purposes.