ISO Image Permanence Standards Update

Abstract

ISO Technical Committee 42 (Photography), Working Group 5 (Physical Properties and Image Permanence of Photographic Materials) is responsible for developing standards on image permanence and durability. Over the past two years there has been considerable progress by the committee on the development of test method standards for image permanence and durability testing and reporting. Four new methods standards and a test target standard have been published in the last year, and two more method standards are on their way to completion. These seven new standards will be discussed. In addition, work continues on a specification standard that would use the test data to form print life estimates. This proposed standard will be discussed briefly along with the difficulties and complications of making print life predictions. Finally a new standard for testing of photo books has been started and will be discussed briefly as well.