scope:

This guideline applies to defects for which microorganisms can be seen as the sole cause, or for defects accelerated, exacerbated or indirectly caused by microorganisms. Viruses, bacteria, algae, fungi and protozoa (single-cell organisms with nuclei such as amoeba) are designated as microorganisms. When defects occur, it is not always possible to attribute the cause to microbial stress with absolute certainty. The influence of microorganisms should, however, be taken into consideration in failure analysis whenever the preconditions for the existence of microorganisms are given.