1.1 This standard deals with the machines and their essential accessories which are used for legal metrology purposes to apply uniaxial loads to test specimens of materials. The mechanical properties of the material are determined from the measurement of force and/or deformation that occur in time. 1.2 This standard gives the requirements for the general technical and metrological characteristics and for the metrological controls concerning machines used to perform tension and compression tests of materials. 1.3 Materials testing machines used principally for determining the fatigue resistance, creep, or stress relaxation properties of materials are the subject of separate standard. 1.4 The requirements for the auxiliary instruments and devices associated with tension and compression testing machines are the subject of separate standard. 1.5 Other relevant standards include the following: 1.5.1 GSO to be approved “General requirements for materials testing machines” (1) 1.5.2 GSO to be approved “Requirements for force measuring instruments for verifying the force indication of materials testing machines” (2) .