ISO/TR 14786:2014 is intended to provide information and analyses in support of the development of chemical nomenclature for the naming of "nano-objects". "Nano-objects" have been defined in ISO/TS 80004-1:2010 to mean "materials with one, two, or three external dimensions in the nanoscale", with the nanoscale defined as the "size range from approximately 1 nm to 100 nm". Nano-objects are further defined as nanoplates, nanofibres, and nanoparticles.

More specifically, the nano-objects that are the subject of ISO/TR 14786:2014 are discrete chemical entities rather than devices or mixtures (preparations). The nano-objects discussed in this Technical Report are not intended to constitute an exhaustive list.

ISO/TR 14786:2014 is intended to facilitate communications between developers and potential users of nomenclature including academia, industry, government and non-governmental organizations.