EN ISO 14096-2:2026

• Abstract:

  This document specifies three film-digitisation quality classes for the requirements of non-destructive testing. The user specifies one of these quality classes for the respective film digitisation task. The digitisation parameters depend on the radiation energy, the material thickness penetrated and the quality level of the original radiographic film. This document does not address signal processing, display and storage of the digitised data.; For the application of this document, ISO 14096-1 provides definitions and measurement procedures.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 15-Sep-2026
• ICS: 19.100 - Non-destructive testing
• ICS: 37.040.25 - Radiographic films
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 138 - Non-destructive testing
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 138/WG 1 - Ionizing radiation testing
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 16-Sep-2026
• Completion Date: 16-Sep-2026
• Ref Project: SIST EN ISO 14096-2:2026 - Non-destructive testing - Qualification of radiographic film digitisation systems - Part 2: Minimum requirement (ISO 14096-2:2026)

• Replaces: EN ISO 14096-2:2020 - Non-destructive testing - Qualification of radiographic film digitisation systems - Part 2: Minimum requirements (ISO 14096-2:2005)
• Effective Date: 19-Jul-2023
• Referred By: EN ISO 14096-1:2020 - Non-destructive testing - Qualification of radiographic film digitisation systems - Part 1: Definitions, quantitative measurements of image quality parameters, standard reference film and qualitative control (ISO 14096-1:2005)
• Effective Date: 17-Sep-2026
• Referred By: EN 14096-1:2003 - Non-destructive testing - Qualification of radiographic film digitisation systems - Part 1: Definitions, quantitative measurements of image quality parameters, standard reference film and qualitative control
• Effective Date: 17-Sep-2026
• Consolidated By: ISO 14096-2:2026 - Non-destructive testing — Qualification of radiographic film digitisation systems — Part 2: Minimum requirements
• Effective Date: 12-Feb-2026

EN ISO 14096-2:2026 is a CEN standard for non-destructive testing. It specifies minimum requirements for qualifying radiographic film digitisation systems by setting three film-digitisation quality classes. It is written for people who need to choose, check, or specify a digitisation class for industrial radiographic films.

What does EN ISO 14096-2:2026 specify?

EN ISO 14096-2:2026 specifies how radiographic film digitisation systems are classified and what minimum performance they need for non-destructive testing. It tells the user how to select one of three quality classes according to the digitisation task, the radiation energy, the material thickness, and the quality level of the original film.

The document is organized into:

• Clause 1 - scope
• Clause 2 - normative references
• Clause 3 - terms and definitions
• Clause 4 - digitisation quality classes
• Clause 5 - minimum requirements, including density range, basic spatial resolution, and class selection for radiographic testing classes

The scope also makes clear that the document focuses on digitisation requirements for the film itself. Signal processing, display, and storage of the digitised data are outside that subject.

What are the key requirements of EN ISO 14096-2:2026?

EN ISO 14096-2:2026 sets three quality classes - DS, DB, and DA - and links each class to the intended use of the digitised image. In practice, this lets the user decide whether the priority is digital archiving, digital analysis, or a basic digitisation task with lower image-quality demand.

Class selection and intended use

Clause 4 assigns the classes as follows:

• DS - enhanced digitisation with insignificant reduction of signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution, intended for digital archiving
• DB - enhanced digitisation with some image-quality reduction, intended for digital analysis while keeping the original film archived
• DA - basic digitisation with more reduction of image quality and spatial resolution, also intended for digital analysis while keeping the original film archived

For a system used in NDT, the document requires identification of all optical-density working ranges and classification by the digitisation quality class and the basic spatial resolution value achieved by that system. In practice, buyers and operators need to specify both the class and the spatial resolution they expect.

Density range and digital resolution

Clause 5.1 requires each class to meet a minimum density range and a minimum density contrast sensitivity. The digitiser must maintain the required contrast sensitivity across its working range, and the document allows the density range to be split into several working ranges.

The digital resolution depends on how the system converts the film signal:

• if the digital value is proportional to optical density, the stated bit depth applies
• if the digital value is proportional to light intensity, the digital resolution must be increased by at least 2 bits

In practice, this is the part that tells a user whether the scanner can read both darker and lighter films with enough detail for evaluation.

Basic spatial resolution

Clause 5.2 sets the minimum basic spatial resolution according to X-ray voltage or isotope and digitisation class. Smaller values are permitted, so better performance is acceptable. The document also notes that normal checking can use spatial resolution targets, but duplex wire image quality indicators can give more reliable values than some converging targets.

For low-energy radiography below 70 kV, the scanner resolution may need to be matched to the film resolution, or the original film should be kept for archiving. In practice, this matters when a scanner is better or worse than the film it is digitising.

Matching digitisation class to radiographic testing class

Clause 5.3 links digitisation quality to radiographic testing classes A and B from ISO 5579, ISO 17636-1, and EN 12681-1. It also links the choice to steel wall thickness and separates the cases for digital storage and testing.

A practical point in Clause 5.3 is that required image quality indicators must still be visible in the digital image after digitisation, just as they are on the original film.

What terms does EN ISO 14096-2:2026 define?

EN ISO 14096-2:2026 defines the main technical terms needed to specify and check film digitisation systems.

• radiographic film digitisation system / digitiser - a system that first detects film transmittance optically and then converts the signal into numbers
• pixel size (P) - the centre-to-centre spacing of adjacent pixels, which limits achievable resolution
• optical density (D) - the logarithmic measure of diffuse light transmission through the film
• basic spatial resolution (SR) - the effective resolution of the digitisation system, linked to measured unsharpness
• digital resolution (N) - the number of bits used by the analogue-to-digital converter
• density contrast sensitivity (ΔDCS) - the smallest film density variation the digitiser can resolve
• density range (R) - the span of optical densities the digitiser can measure
• working range (WR) - the density range in which the system guarantees the required contrast sensitivity in one acquisition

Who uses EN ISO 14096-2:2026?

EN ISO 14096-2:2026 is used by non-destructive testing engineers, radiography operators, quality managers, laboratory staff, and buyers who specify or verify film digitisation systems. It is relevant in industrial radiography for welds, metallic materials, and castings/foundings.

In practice, users apply it when selecting a scanner class, checking whether a digitiser can handle the required film density range, and confirming that spatial resolution is suitable for the radiographic task. Contracting parties can also use it to agree on the scanner resolution needed for very low-energy films or for archiving original films.

What changed in EN ISO 14096-2:2026 from the previous edition?

EN ISO 14096-2:2026 replaces ISO 14096-2:2005 and is technically revised. The stated changes are:

• definitions of terms 3.4 and 3.5 updated
• the definitions of “spatial frequency” and “modulation transfer function” removed
• a definition of “basic spatial resolution” added in clause 3.4
• values in Tables 1, 2 and 3 updated
• editorial updates

Which standards are used with EN ISO 14096-2:2026?

EN ISO 14096-2:2026 cites these documents in Clause 2:

• ISO 17636-1 - provides radiographic testing requirements for welds using film with X- and gamma-ray techniques
• EN 12681-1 - provides film radiography requirements for foundings
• ISO 14096-1 - provides definitions, quantitative measurement procedures, the standard reference film, and qualitative control
• ISO 19232-5 - provides the method for determining image unsharpness and basic spatial resolution with duplex wire IQI
• ISO 5579 - provides basic rules for radiographic testing of metallic materials using film and X- or gamma rays

What does the EN ISO 14096-2:2026 document contain?

EN ISO 14096-2:2026 contains the terminology, class system, and minimum performance framework for qualifying radiographic film digitisation systems. It includes the optical-density formula, class tables for density range and spatial resolution, and a table that links radiographic testing class and steel thickness to the digitisation class to use.

It also points readers to ISO 14096-1 for measurement procedures and reference-film based control. For practical work, that means the document is meant to support specification, testing, and acceptance of film digitisers rather than image processing or data storage design.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2026
Neporušitvene preiskave - Kvalificiranje sistemov za digitaliziranje radiogramov -
2. del: Minimalne zahteve (ISO 14096-2:2026)
Non-destructive testing - Qualification of radiographic film digitisation systems - Part 2:
Minimum requirement (ISO 14096-2:2026)
Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung - Qualifizierung von Röntgenfilm-Digitalisierungssystemen -
Teil 2: Mindestanforderungen (ISO 14096-2:2026)
Essais non destructifs - Qualification des systèmes de numérisation des films
radiographiques - Partie 2: Exigences minimales (ISO 14096-2:2026)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 14096-2:2026
ICS:
19.100 Neporušitveno preskušanje Non-destructive testing
37.040.25 Radiografski filmi Radiographic films
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN ISO 14096-2
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
September 2026
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 37.040.25 Supersedes EN ISO 14096-2:2020
English Version
Non-destructive testing - Qualification of radiographic film
digitisation systems - Part 2: Minimum requirements (ISO
14096-2:2026)
Essais non destructifs - Qualification des systèmes de Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung - Qualifizierung von
numérisation des films radiographiques - Partie 2: Röntgenfilm-Digitalisierungssystemen - Teil 2:
Exigences minimales (ISO 14096-2:2026) Mindestanforderungen (ISO 14096-2:2026)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 22 August 2026.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 14096-2:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3

European foreword
This document (EN ISO 14096-2:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 135 "Non-
destructive testing" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 138 “Non-destructive testing”
the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by March 2027, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by March 2027.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN ISO 14096-2:2020.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards
body/national committee. A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the
United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 14096-2:2026 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 14096-2:2026 without any
modification.
International
Standard
ISO 14096-2
Second edition
Non-destructive testing —
2026-09
Qualification of radiographic film
digitisation systems —
Part 2:
Minimum requirements
Essais non destructifs — Qualification des systèmes de
numérisation des films radiographiques —
Partie 2: Exigences minimales
Reference number
ISO 14096-2:2026(en) © ISO 2026

ISO 14096-2:2026(en)
© ISO 2026
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
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ISO copyright office
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Published in Switzerland
ii
ISO 14096-2:2026(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Digitisation quality classes . . 3
5 Minimum requirements for digitisation quality classes . 4
5.1 Density range and working ranges of the radiographic film digitisation system .4
5.2 Minimum basic spatial resolution of radiographic film digitisation systems .4
5.3 Digitisation quality class depending on the radiographic testing class .4

iii
ISO 14096-2:2026(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
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with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
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For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 135, Non-destructive testing,
Subcommittee SC 5, Radiographic testing, in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization
(CEN) Technical Committee CEN/TC 138, Non-destructive testing, in accordance with the Agreement on
technical cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 14096-2:2005), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— terms 3.4 and 3.5 updated and terms “spatial frequency” and “modulation transfer function” removed;
— in 3.4, definition of term “basic spatial resolution” added;
— values in Table 1, Table 2 and Table 3 updated;
— editorial revisions.
A list of all parts in the ISO 14096 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

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