ISO 18928:2026

• Abstract:

  This document specifies recommended storage conditions for unprocessed silver halide containing photographic materials. It is not applicable to processed films and prints. This document applies to black-and-white and colour photographic materials (e.g. negative films, positive films, reversal films, positive papers and X-ray films).

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 27-Jul-2026
• ICS: 37.040.20 - Photographic paper, films and plates. Cartridges
• ICS: 37.040.30 - Photographic chemicals
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 42 - Photography
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 42/WG 5 - Physical properties and image permanence of photographic materials
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 28-Jul-2026
• Due Date: 19-Mar-2027
• Completion Date: 28-Jul-2026

• Revises: ISO 18928:2013 - Imaging materials — Unprocessed photographic films and papers — Storage practices
• Effective Date: 22-Mar-2025

Overview

ISO 18928:2026 is an international standard developed by ISO for establishing best practices and recommended storage conditions for unprocessed photographic films and papers containing silver halide. This document aims to ensure the preservation of photographic materials before processing by minimizing the negative impact of environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, gases, and extraneous radiation. ISO 18928:2026 applies to both black-and-white and color photographic materials, including negative films, positive films, reversal films, positive papers, and X-ray films. The standard provides guidance primarily for photofinishing laboratories, wholesalers, retailers, and professional and amateur photographers involved in the silver halide materials supply chain.

Key Topics

Main aspects covered in ISO 18928:2026 include:

• Storage Conditions: Recommends environmental parameters such as temperature and relative humidity for short-term and long-term storage to maintain the quality of unprocessed photographic films and papers.
• Temperature and Humidity Control: Advises maintaining relative humidity between 40% and 60% and temperature guidelines based on storage duration, with lower temperatures recommended for extended storage.
• Protection from Gases and Radiation: Stipulates that harmful gases (e.g., hydrogen sulphide, sulfur dioxide), industrial emissions, and exposure to extraneous radiation must be avoided as they can degrade photographic materials prior to processing.
• Acclimatization Procedures: Details necessary steps for bringing cold-stored materials to room temperature before opening packages to prevent condensation and physical damage.
• Mechanical and Handling Guidelines: Specifies proper storage orientations for rolls and sheets, as well as recommended laboratory climate and safe handling practices to avoid physical or static damage.
• Impact of Adverse Conditions: Acknowledges the increased risks of latent image fading, fogging, and physical damage due to deviations from proper storage conditions.

Applications

ISO 18928:2026 is essential for any organization or individual involved in the storage, distribution, or use of unprocessed photographic films and papers. Practical value includes:

• Photofinishing Laboratories and Retailers: Ensures material integrity during storage and transit by following specified humidity and temperature ranges, reducing spoilage and quality complaints.
• Professional and Amateur Photographers: Assists in planning storage strategies for unprocessed films and papers, especially when stored for long periods or transported through environments with fluctuating temperatures or radiation risks (e.g., airports).
• X-ray Facilities: Provides guidelines for handling sensitive X-ray films, including recommendations for minimizing exposure to radiation sources and gases in storage areas.
• Archival and Cultural Institutions: Supports the preservation of photographic heritage by mitigating risks of chemical and physical deterioration before image development.

By implementing ISO 18928:2026, users can extend the shelf life of silver halide materials and reduce the risk of latent image loss and material degradation, thereby safeguarding the quality and value of photographic work.

Related Standards

Several other standards complement ISO 18928:2026 by addressing practices for processed materials and related storage issues:

• ISO 18906: Imaging materials - Photographic films - Specifications for safety film
• ISO 18911: Imaging materials - Processed safety photographic films - Storage practices
• ISO 18918: Imaging materials - Processed photographic plates - Storage practices
• ISO 18920: Imaging materials - Reflection prints - Storage practices

Adopting ISO 18928:2026 in combination with these related standards ensures comprehensive management of photographic materials throughout their lifecycle, from pre-processing storage through to archiving of finished products.

International
Standard
ISO 18928
Fourth edition
Imaging materials — Unprocessed
2026-07
photographic films and papers —
Storage practices
Matériaux pour l'image — Films et papiers photographiques non
traités — Pratiques de stockage
Reference number
© ISO 2026
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, 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
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Storage conditions . 1
4.1 General .1
4.2 Relative humidity .1
4.3 Temperature .2
4.4 Gases .2
4.5 Extraneous radiations .2
5 Temperature acclimatization . 3
6 Mechanical requirements . 3
7 Handling conditions . 3
Annex A (informative) Background radiation . 5
Bibliography . 6

iii
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,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
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 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).
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
constitute an endorsement.
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 42, Photography.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition (ISO 18928:2013) which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— typographical errors corrected in Annex A;
— specific reference made to silver halide products to distinguish these from other imaging materials.
— updates to references and storage conditions to reflect contemporary sensitised products. Specifically,
the short-term storage condition has been revised down from 21 °C to the recommendations on current
Black and White films. A note has been added on the long-term benefits of storage in a refrigerator.
A list of all parts in the ISO 18900 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.

iv
Introduction
International Standards have been written specifying the recommended practices for the storage of the
following chemically processed silver halide products:
— safety photographic film (see ISO 18911);
— reflection prints (see ISO 18920);
— photographic plates (see ISO 18918).
This document is concerned with the storage of unprocessed silver halide photographic materials. While
many of the recommendations for unprocessed and processed storage are very similar, there are some
important differences. These include the very beneficial effects of low temperature and the harmful effects
of adverse storage and radiation. ISO guidance is that each document should explicitly consider the relevant
stakeholders. The stakeholders identified in this project are
— photofinishing labs, wholesalers, retailers and others in the silver halide material supply chain, and
— end users of silver halide materials such as professional and amateur photographers.
The ISO commitment to the consideration of climate science is embodied in the London Declaration. In line
with this, some guidance is given on the effect of high temperature events on storage conditions.

v
International Standard ISO 18928:2026(en)
Imaging materials — Unprocessed photographic films and
papers — Storage practices
1 Scope
This document specifies recommended storage conditions for unprocessed silver halide containing
photographic materials. It is not applicable to processed films and prints.
This document applies to black-and-white and colour photographic materials (e.g. negative films, positive
films, reversal films, positive papers and X-ray films).
2 Normative references
There are no normative r
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