ISO 16415:2012描述并说明了广泛的等级类别，根据国际贸易中用于非针叶和针叶树种的非结构性木材的众多国家标准和分级规则的共性，这些类别规定了这些类别中通常存在的基本特征。 ISO 16415:2012为认可符合ISO 16415:2012的国家标准或分级规则提供了依据，并适用于所有非针叶树种和针叶树种的非结构性木材的所有目视分级系统方法。 ISO 16415不包括由竹子制成的非结构性木材: 2012.

ISO 16415:2012 delineates and illustrates broad grade categories that specify essential features typically found in those categories based on commonalities of numerous national standards and grading rules used for non-structural timber of non-coniferous and coniferous species in international commerce. ISO 16415:2012 provides a basis for recognition of a national standard or grading rules that complies with ISO 16415:2012 and is applicable to all methods of visual grading systems for non-structural timber of all non-coniferous and coniferous species of timber. Non-structural timber produced from bamboo is not covered by ISO 16415:2012.