This European Standard sets out a numbering system, referred to as steel numbers, for the designation of steel grades. It deals with the structure of steel numbers and the organization for their registration, allocation and dissemination. Such steel numbers are complementary to steel names set out in EN 10027-1. Application of this European Standard is obligatory for steels specified in European Standards. Application is optional for national steels and proprietary steels. NOTE Although the scope of the systems is limited to steel, it is structured so as to be capable of being extended to include other industrially produced materials. Steel numbers established according to this system have a fixed number of digits (see 5). They are better suited for data processing than steel names established according to EN 10027-1. For steels specified in European Standards the application for allocation of steel numbers (see A.6 to A.9) is the responsibility of the ECISS Technical Committee concerned. For national steel grades, the responsibility is that of the national competent body.