ISO 18916:2025
(Main)Imaging materials — Photographic activity test for enclosure materials — Processed silver‐gelatin and dye‐gelatin prints
Imaging materials — Photographic activity test for enclosure materials — Processed silver‐gelatin and dye‐gelatin prints
This document specifies the test method for evaluating possible chemical interactions between enclosures and photographic materials that are produced in a light sensitive silver halide and gelatin containing layer, processed using wet chemistry and where the final image retains metallic silver, herein referred to as silver-gelatin materials. Modified versions of the test method are applicable to chromogenic (dye coupler) and diazo photographic materials (see Annex A). This document is applicable to all general photographic enclosure materials used for storage, display, and transport, such as paper, tissue, cardboard, mat board and plastics. It is also applicable to components of photographic enclosure materials such as adhesives and marking substances, including inks, paints, labels, and tape. This document applies to all storage, display, and transport materials used for silver-gelatin photographs whether intended for short or long-term use (see Annex E). This document does not apply to non-silver-gelatin imaging systems. It does not pertain to harmful physical interactions such as blocking (sticking together), dye bleed, adhesive migration, or plasticizer exudation. It does not pertain to important criteria of enclosures such as their inherent chemical stability, physical integrity, and workmanship. Passing the photographic activity test (PAT) alone does not indicate that a material is archival. Quality requirements for photo-safe storage enclosures and their components are covered in ISO 18902, which includes passing the criteria of the PAT.
Matériaux d'imagerie — Test d'activité photographique pour matériaux d'encadrement — Tirages traités à la gélatine argentique et à la gélatine teintée
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
International
Standard
ISO 18916
Second edition
Imaging materials — Photographic
2025-03
activity test for enclosure materials
— Processed silver‐gelatin and dye‐
gelatin prints
Matériaux d'imagerie — Test d'activité photographique pour
matériaux d'encadrement — Tirages traités à la gélatine
argentique et à la gélatine teintée
Reference number
© ISO 2025
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Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Test conditions . 2
4.1 Principle .2
4.2 Apparatus and materials .3
4.3 Incubation .3
4.4 Measurement .3
5 Image interaction test . 4
5.1 Procedure .4
5.2 Calculation .5
5.3 Requirements .6
6 Stain test . 6
6.1 Procedure .6
6.2 Calculation .7
6.3 Requirements .7
7 Mottle test . 7
7.1 Procedure .7
7.2 Requirements .7
8 Specific procedures . . 7
8.1 General .7
8.2 Adhesives and marking substances .7
8.3 Adhesives with carriers and double-sided adhesives .8
9 Test report .10
Annex A (normative) Modifications for dye coupler reactivity and diazo images .12
Annex B (informative) Colloidal silver image interaction detector . 14
Annex C (informative) Description of mottling .15
Annex D (informative) Applicability of the PAT to non‐silver gelatin‐based photographic
materials . 17
Annex E (informative) Applicability of the PAT to short‐term applications such as display and
transport .18
Bibliography . 19
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
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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)
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 42, Photography.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 18916:2007), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
This revision resolves issues regarding the scope of ISO 18916:2007 and its applicability to photographic
images that are not comprised of silver and/or gelatin-based materials. This revision removes these types of
materials from the scope of the document. The following additional changes have been made:
— A new Annex D addresses and warns against the use of the test outside of its intended scope, e.g. as a
general screen for oxidants and reductants and applied to all collection types. This annex also addresses
th
the test’s applicability towards 19 century photographic processes and digital hard copy such as inkjet,
dye sublimation, and electrophotography.
— A new Annex E includes guidance on the interpretation of test results for short-term applications, such
as display and transport.
— Language addressing the use of the test for consumer vs. museum applications has been added to the
introduction.
— The standard no longer specifies an annual testing requirement. Instead, the standard recommends
testing by batch or lot, and requires materials be re-tested upon changes in formulation or supplier
change, or upon other changes in production of the product.
— Test modifications for chromogenic (dye coupler) and diazo images have been moved to a normative
annex, as these are optional additional test methods for specific types of photographic processes and are
not requirements of the test.
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.
iv
Introduction
The use of materials for the storage, display, and transport of photographic records having a long-term value
has necessitated the development of International Standards to specify important considerations in this
field. The important elements affecting the useful life of imaging materials are as follows:
a) humidity and temperature of the environment;
b) hazards of fire;
c) hazards of water;
d) light exposure;
e) fungal growth;
f) contact with certain chemicals in solid, liquid, or gaseous form;
g) physical damage;
h) chemical processing;
i) damage from pests;
j) enclosures and containers in contact (or in close proximity) with the imaging material.
International Standards have been published which specify the material requirements for silver-gelatin
type film (ISO 18901), diazo film (ISO 18905), and vesicular film (ISO 18912). Specifications for proper
processing are also included in these documents. ISO 18918, ISO 18911 and ISO 18920 specify the storage
conditions for photographic plates, films, and paper prints, respectively.
In addition to the storage conditions, the enclosure materials used are extremely important. Processed
photographic materials in archival collections require a high degree of individual packaging to protect them
from atmospheric influences, dust, and handling damage, and also to keep them from contaminating each
other. For this purpose, a wide variety of paper and plastic materials are commercially available, fabricated
into albums, boxes, sleeves, envelopes, folders, mat boards, and interleaving tissues. However, it is absolutely
essential that these storage enclosures not cause harm to the photographic image. For optimum stability,
it is necessary that storage enclosures and their components meet the requirements in ISO 18902, which
includes passing the criteria of the photographic activity test.
The photographic activity test described in this document is a predictive test of chemical interactions
between the storage enclosure and the photographic material. It can also be used to evaluate possible
photographic activity caused by components of enclosures such as adhesives and marking substances.
This document uses detectors comprised of silver and gelatin to assess photographic activity, and therefore
the test applies to silver-gelatin type film. Two modifications of this test method
...
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