If You take a quick look at the subjects chosen for this Colloquium you will see that all except one have been, or will be, given by specialists and on their own subjects. In being invited to comment on the responsibilities of the user I have been presented with the unique task in this Colloquium of telling someone else what his job is. It is hoped, therefore, that the next ten minutes may provoke some lively discussion and will be taken in good part by anyone implicated.

Since the two speakers who follow are dealing with the way in which the user handles defects and defect records, it seems fitting to open with one or two comments on the user's responsibilities for this function, as seen by the manufacturer