Gives a method of test which provides a standard procedure to determine the ability of components, equipment and other articles, hereinafter referred to as specimens, to withstand specified severities of sinusoidal vibration. If an item is to be tested in an unpackaged form, that is without its packaging, it is referred to as a test specimen. However, if the item is packaged then the item itself is referred to as a product and the item and its packaging together are referred to as a test specimen.

The purpose of this test is to determine any mechanical weakness and/or degradation in the specified performance of specimens and to use this information, in conjunction with the relevant specification, to decide upon the acceptability of the specimens. In some cases, the test method may also be used to demonstrate the mechanical robustness of specimens and/or to study their dynamic behaviour. Categorization of components can also be made on the basis of a selection from within the severities quoted in the test.

The major changes with regard to the previous edition concern:

- Reference to the latest version of IEC 60068-2-47:Mounting
- Simplification of the layout of the standard by replacing some tables with text.
- Addition of the test report requirements (see Clause 13).