The following is an excerpt from ISO 6336-5, Table 5, Section 10.6:
Intergranular oxidation (IGO), applicable to unground surface. Determined by metallographic inspection of unetched coupon, if used. Limits in micrometers shall be
based on case depth as given.
The table then shows the requirements for class ML, MQ, & ME. The use of the word limits tell you that it is a maximum allowable dimension.
My company specifies that it is the average of the deepest
IGO over a minimum of 5 randomly selected areas.