According to 4.2b of GB/T 1.1-2020 "Directives for Standardization - Part 1: Structure and Drafting Rules for Standardization Documents", a symbol standard refers to "a standard that defines the representation forms, meanings or names of symbols used in a specific field or discipline". The function of a symbol standard is to "define" the symbols related to a certain field. Usually, it is necessary to define the representation forms of the symbols and determine their meanings or names. The core technical element of such standards is "symbols or signs and their meanings". The typical content and presentation form of a symbol standard are: "a symbol table" plus "an index of the meanings (or names) of symbols and their corresponding foreign language equivalents".

 The symbols defined by symbol standards will facilitate the communication among people with various language, cultural and knowledge backgrounds. These symbols play an irreplaceable role in people's daily lives and scientific and technological activities.

The structure of symbol standards, drafting rules, and the detailed rules for compiling symbol tables, etc., are specified in GB/T 20001.2-2015 "Rules for Preparing Standards - Part 2: Symbol Standards".