ISO 1986-1:2014 specifies, with reference to ISO 230‑1, both geometric and machining tests on general purpose and normal accuracy surface grinding machines with reciprocating table up to 1 600 mm table length and horizontal grinding wheel spindle. It also specifies the applicable tolerances corresponding to the above-mentioned tests.

It is not applicable to surface grinding machines with fixed or rotating tables or to machines having longitudinal traverse of the wheelhead.

ISO 1986-1:2014 deals only with the verification of the accuracy of the machine; it does not apply to the testing of the machine operation (vibrations, abnormal noises, stick-slip motion of components, etc.), nor to the machine characteristics (such as speeds, feeds, etc.), which should generally be checked before testing the accuracy.

ISO 1986-1:2014 provides the terminology used for the principal components of the machine and indicates the designation of the axes with reference to ISO 841.