ISO 15031-1:2010 gives an overview of the structure and the partitioning of ISO 15031 (Road vehicles — Communication between vehicle and external test equipment for emissions-related diagnostics), and shows the relation between the different parts. It also defines the corresponding SAE recommended practices and reference to the SAE Digital Annexes. The terminology defined in ISO 15031-1:2010 is common for all parts of ISO 15031.

ISO 15031-1:2010 also describes the use cases applicable to the communication between vehicle and external test equipment for emissions-related diagnostics.