The Standard ISO 3166:1974 sets out, in an introductory part, its scope and field of application as being to provide a two-letter and a three-letter alphabetic code, for representing the names of countries, dependencies and other areas of special geopolitical interest for purposes of international interchange, and general directions for their maintenance. The designations "countries, dependencies, and other areas of special geopolitical interest" employed herein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever concerning the legal status of any country or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitations of its frontiers. This International Standard is intended for use in any application requiring the expression of entities in coded form". For the purposes of the Standard the term "Entity" is defined as "the name of country, dependency, or other area of special geopolitical interest".

II. Presentation of Recommended Codes

The recommended codes are presented in two sections containing a two-letter alphabetic code, recommended for international exchange, and a three-digit numeric code. A three-letter alphabetic code is listed in the ISO 3166 Standard.

III. Provisions for the Up-dating of the Standard

The list of entities will be amended as required, according to the rules set out in the ISO Standard 3166. From time to time printouts will be provided, containing the current version of the Alpha-2 code. The names of entities used in these printouts are for reference purpose only. The full official names of the entities concerned are included in the Standard.

The full text of ISO 3166 can be procured from the ISO Central Secretariat or from national ISO member bodies.