This part of ISO 1268 specifies the general principles and procedures for the compression moulding of test plates from two types of fibre-reinforced thermosetting moulding compound: sheet moulding compound (SMC) and bulk moulding compound (BMC). The aim of this part of ISO 1268 is to ensure the preparation of flat test plates from which test specimens can be cut (for the relevant test methods, see Annex A). The plates are produced in such a way that specimens cut from them give representative results when used in these test methods.