The Applicability Guidelines provide actuaries with non-authoritative guidance as to which standards might apply to tasks that actuaries perform. Although the guidelines are meant to encourage the professionalism of actuaries, they are not intended to be exhaustive, nor are they authoritative by nature.

The Applicability Guidelines are not standards of practice. The Actuarial Standards Board has not promulgated the guidelines, nor are they binding on any actuary. Ultimately, it remains the actuary’s responsibility to identify the standard(s) that apply to each assignment.