This part of IEC 62150 contains a series of performance test procedures, including preferred severities designed to assess the ability of active components to perform under expected service conditions. This part of IEC 62150 provides general information that applies to all of these procedures. The object of this standard is to provide uniform and reproducible environmental test procedures and measurement procedures, for those preparing specifications for fibre optic active components and devices. These test and measurement procedures are based on available international engineering experience and judgement, and are designed to provide information on the following properties of active components: a) ability to operate within specified limits of temperature, pressure. humidity, mechanical stress or other environmental conditions and certain combinations of these conditions; b) ability to withstand storage and transport; c) ability to meet the specified levels of optical performance. Active optical components considered in the present standard are those specified in the IEC 62007, IEC 62148 and IEC 62149 series. The tests in this standard permit the performance of sample components or equipment to be compared. To assess the overall quality of a production lot, the test procedures should be applied in accordance with a suitable sampling plan and may be supplemented by appropriate additional tests, if necessary. To provide tests appropriate to the different intensities of an environmental condition, some of the test procedures have a number of degrees of severity. These different degrees of severity are obtained by varying the time, temperature or some other determining factor separately or in combination. This standard should be used in combination with the detail specification, which will define the tests to be used, the required degree of severity for each of them, their sequence, if relevant, and the permissible performance limits. In the event of conflict between this basic standard and the detail specification, the latter will apply.