Overview
ISO/TR 23605:2018 - Technical product specification (TPS) - Application guidance - International model for national implementation provides a structured model and cross‑reference index for preparing technical product specifications in the mechanical engineering domain. Prepared by ISO/TC 213 (with links to ISO/TC 10), this technical report maps the relevant Geometrical Product Specification (GPS) and Technical Product Documentation (TPD) standards, supplements them with commentary and recommendations where useful, and proposes a format national bodies can adopt to reduce ambiguity in specification, manufacture and verification.
Key Topics
This guidance organizes and references the core standards and practical elements needed for robust TPS creation, including:
- GPS matrix and overall framework for geometrical product specification
- Standard reference temperature considerations for dimensional work
- Types of documentation and recommended content (drawings, document lists, combined drawings)
- Relationship between design definition and interpretation, including uncertainty of specification
- Presentation media, scales, lettering, lines, arrows and terminators for consistent graphical representation
- Projections, views, sections and part references for technical drawings and 3‑D models
- Graphical representation: abbreviations, symbols, textual equivalents and process representation
- Representation of features and components, dimensioning and tolerancing, decimal marker conventions
- Geometrical tolerancing and surface texture indication
- Verification guidance: instrumentation and acceptance tests
- Security, storage/retrieval, and protection notices for TPS documents
- Annexes: cross‑referenced standards, withdrawn standards and the ISO GPS standards matrix
Applications
ISO/TR 23605:2018 is practical for organizations and professionals involved in the full TPS lifecycle:
- National standards bodies adopting a harmonized model for national implementation
- Mechanical design engineers and CAD/PLM administrators preparing unambiguous TPS and 3‑D annotated models
- Draftsmen and technical illustrators producing compliant engineering drawings
- Quality engineers, metrologists and inspection labs performing verification and acceptance testing
- Procurement, manufacturing and suppliers working in global supply chains who require clear specifications to reduce misinterpretation and rework
Using this TR helps ensure international compatibility, facilitates outsourcing and digital exchange of TPS data, and supports consistent application of GPS and TPD standards.
Related Standards
ISO/TR 23605:2018 cross‑references the core ISO GPS and TPD standards and is aligned with the revised ISO GPS matrix (e.g., ISO 14638:2015). Annex A lists all cross‑referenced standards and Annex B records withdrawn documents for implementation clarity.