For a test to be meaningful, there must be clear criteria for what is considered acceptable performance during and after the application of an ESD event. A test is considered successful if the following conditions are met:

• During the test: No incorrect operation shall occur.
• Acceptable Transients: Transient false information is tolerated. A permissible example, explicitly noted in the standard, is the transient flickering of indicating devices like LEDs.
• After the test: The equipment must continue to comply with all of its relevant performance specifications.