1. The aim of this AOP is to standardize test procedures for quality specifications of ingredients in military energetic materials. It deals with chemical and physical laboratory test methods@ except those@ which are covered by method-standards and AOP-48. 2. The test procedures and specifications were developed to facilitate cross procurement and certification of the ingredients and provide a means by which countries can be satisfied with the quality of these ingredients by making them suitable for military use within NATO. 3. Test procedures described in this AOP replace those previously described in the following STANAGs for ingredients: 4021@ 4022@ 4023@ 4024@ 4025@ 4026@ 4230@ 4284@ 4299@ 4300@ 4543@ 4566@ 4583@ 4679@ 4700 and 4719. 4. STANAG 4178 covers the chemical and physical testing of nitrocellulose because most of its test methods are unique to that material. Therefore this AOP does not deal with chemical and physical tests for nitrocellulose. 5. This AOP will be reviewed upon the request of a participating nation. If any changes are proposed@ the national delegate of the submitting country shall request that the Chairperson of AC/326 subgroup A includes this as an agenda item for the next meeting of the subgroup. 6. Requests to revise this AOP must be accompanied by supporting documentation and should be presented to the Chairman of AC/326 subgroup A for inclusion in the agenda of the next meeting of the subgroup. Subgroup A will rewrite and approve the revisions of this AOP. Such revisions will be provided to the Custodian Nation and to the international staff secretary for publication. Austria is the Custodian Nation for this document. 7. The criteria to be met by any given ingredient for tests performed under this AOP will be given in the specific STANAG for that ingredient. Changes in the acceptable values of properties for an ingredient must be subject to ratification by the participating nations and are therefore included in the ingredient STANAGs and not in this test manual. 8. Warning: This AOP calls for the use of substances and test procedures that may be injurious to health if adequate precautions are not taken. It refers only to technical suitability and in no way absolves the user from the statutory obligations relating to health and safety at any stage during use.