ISO 18913:2021

Overview

ISO 18913:2021 - "Imaging materials - Permanence - Vocabulary" defines the standardized vocabulary used to describe the permanence, stability and degradation of imaging materials, associated storage materials and digital storage media. This third edition (replacing ISO 18913:2012) is part of the ISO series on physical properties and stability of imaging materials and provides generic, industry‑wide terms and definitions that support consistent communication across archives, manufacturers, conservators and test laboratories. Where terms are still evolving or used differently by user groups, the standard gives a practical definition and notes that context.

Key topics

The document catalogs terms and definitions that cover:

• Material categories: film bases, paper and paperboard, photographic prints, chromogenic prints, magnetic and optical media.
• Degradation mechanisms: abrasion, blistering, blocking, brittleness, yellowing, dye loss, smudging and other failure modes.
• Environmental parameters: absolute humidity, relative humidity, ambient conditions, dew point, storage environment.
• Ageing and testing concepts: accelerated ageing, artificial accelerated weathering, Arrhenius plot and other concepts used to predict and test permanence.
• Preservation concepts: archival, buffered materials, acid‑free adhesives and papers, anti‑blocking agents.
• Digital media terms: optical disc error metrics (e.g., block error rate), cassette/cartridge formats and related vocabulary.
  The standard also points to terminological resources (ISO Online Browsing Platform, IEC Electropedia) and notes cross‑references to related test and specification standards.

Applications and who uses it

ISO 18913:2021 is practical for:

• Archivists, librarians and museum conservators who need consistent terminology for condition reports, storage recommendations and preservation policies.
• Manufacturers and suppliers of imaging materials, storage enclosures and digital media for product specifications, quality control and labeling.
• Test laboratories and standards developers using common definitions when reporting permanence testing and comparing results.
• Photographic labs, print service providers and reprographic professionals to specify materials (acid‑free, buffered), interpret permanence claims and guide customers.
  Use cases include procurement specifications, training materials, test reporting, cross‑discipline communication and regulatory/contractual documents where consistent permanence vocabulary is required.

Related standards

Relevant referenced standards and technical resources include:

• ISO 18902 (acid‑free / alkaline paper test methods and specifications)
• ISO 18924 (use of Arrhenius plot and ageing prediction)
• ISO 10716 (alkaline reserve test method for paper)
• ISO 14644‑1 (clean room classifications)
• IEC/IEC Electropedia and ISO Online Browsing Platform for terminology lookup

Keywords: ISO 18913:2021, imaging materials permanence vocabulary, archival materials, accelerated ageing, acid‑free paper, storage materials, digital storage media, permanence terminology.