ISO 12853:2015

Microscopes - Information provided to the user

ISO 12853:2015 specifies the minimum required information to be provided to the user by the microscope manufacturer. This International Standard is not applicable to inverted microscopes, advanced technique microscopes, and digital display microscopes.

Microscopes — Informations délivrées à l'utilisateur

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 17-Sep-2015
• ICS: 37.020 - Optical equipment
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 172/SC 5 - Microscopes and endoscopes
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 172/SC 5/WG 3 - Terms and definitions
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Start Date: 18-Nov-2021
• Completion Date: 13-Dec-2025

Relations

• Revises: ISO 12853:1997 - Optics and optical instruments - Microscopes - Information provided to the user
• Effective Date: 28-Sep-2013

Overview

ISO 12853:2015 - Microscopes - Information provided to the user defines the minimum information that microscope manufacturers must supply to end users. The standard covers required and recommended data about microscope assemblies intended for general use and excludes inverted microscopes, advanced‑technique microscopes, and digital display microscopes. Its primary goal is to standardize product information so users can evaluate compatibility, performance, and intended use.

Key topics and technical requirements

ISO 12853:2015 organizes manufacturer data into General information and Design information, identifying which items are mandatory (m) and which are recommended (r).

• General information

  • Manufacturer (m) and optional country of origin (r)
  • Field of application (r) - e.g., education, laboratories, industry
  • Imaging and illumination methods (m) - transmitted/reflected light, brightfield, darkfield, phase contrast, DIC, polarization, fluorescence
  • Accessories (r) - photographic and video equipment, image processing, manipulators

• Design information (detailed technical data)

  • Optical system (m) - type (finite, infinite)
  • Stand dimensions and adjustments (m/r) - base dimensions, mechanical height, distances related to exit pupil, coarse/fine focus ranges
  • Microscope tube (m/r) - monocular/binocular/trinocular, interpupillary range, tube factor, inclination angle, eyepiece tube diameter
  • Nosepiece (m/r) - number of objective mounts, objective centration
  • Objectives (m) - magnification, numerical aperture, correction status, immersion medium, tube length, cover glass thickness, working distance, contrast methods (see ISO 8578)
  • Eyepieces (m/r) - magnification, field number, diameter, dioptre adjustment
  • Condenser and illuminating systems (m/r) - numerical aperture, contrast method suitability, diaphragms, accessory slots
  • Light source and power supply (m/r) - source type and model, voltage/wattage, current type, colour temperature, lifetime, mains supply, fuse, power consumption

Applications and target users

ISO 12853:2015 is intended for:

• Microscope manufacturers preparing datasheets, user manuals, and conformity documentation
• Procurement officers and specification writers who need standardized product descriptions for buying decisions
• Laboratory managers and educators evaluating equipment suitability for specific workflows (teaching, research, industrial inspection)
• Design and QA engineers ensuring consistency in labeling, interchangeability, and accessory compatibility

Practical uses include creating consistent technical datasheets, improving user guidance, and supporting compatibility checks between objectives, eyepieces, condensers, and illumination systems.

Related standards

• ISO 8578 - Microscopes: marking of objectives and eyepieces (normative reference)
• ISO 10934‑1 - Vocabulary for microscopy (bibliography)

Keywords: ISO 12853:2015, microscope information, manufacturer data, microscope specifications, optical system, objectives, eyepieces, condenser, light source, microscope documentation.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 12853
Second edition
2015-09-15
Microscopes — Information provided
to the user
Microscopes — Informations délivrées à l’utilisateur
Reference number
©
ISO 2015
© ISO 2015, Published in Switzerland
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior
written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
the requester.
ISO copyright office
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ii © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Data provided by the manufacturer . 1
3.1 General information . 1
3.1.1 Details of origin . 1
3.1.2 (r) Field of application . 1
3.1.3 (m) Imaging and illumination methods . 1
3.1.4 (r) Accessories . 1
3.2 Design information . 1
3.2.1 Optical system . 1
3.2.2 Stand . 2
3.2.3 Microscope tube . 2
3.2.4 Nosepiece . 3
3.2.5 Objectives . 4
3.2.6 Eyepieces . 4
3.2.7 Condenser . 5
3.2.8 Illuminating system . 5
3.2.9 Light source . 5
3.2.10 Power supply . . 5
Bibliography . 6
Foreword
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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 documents 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).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
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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 on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity
assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information.
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 172, Optics and photonics, Subcommittee SC 5,
Microscopes and endoscopes.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 12853:1997), which has been technically
revised in order to:
— specify the Scope in more detail;
— add further examples to the field of application (see 3.1.2);
— update the design information (e.g. dimension of overall mechanical depth added an
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