ISO 11737-3:2004 provides guidance on evaluating and interpreting the data generated during routine monitoring of the microbiological quality of medical devices. ISO 11737-3:2004 is not applicable to the use of bioburden data generated for establishing the extent of treatment to be applied in a sterilization process. ISO 11737-3:2004 is not applicable to microbiological data generated from sampling the environment in manufacturing areas.