Imaging materials - Optical discs - Care and handling for extended storage

This International Standard establishes general principles for the care and handling of digital optical discs during use. It addresses the issues of physical integrity of the medium necessary to preserve access to the recorded data (information). This International Standard includes recommendations for handling procedures to maximize the effective life of optical discs. Faulty handling, packing and transporting techniques and methods often cause physical damage to the discs and to the content recorded thereon. Extending the longevity of optical discs requires the identification of appropriate handling methods, as well as well-developed and implemented training programs. For the purposes of this International Standard, the term "optical disc" includes the families of compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), high definition digital versatile disc (HD DVD) and Blu-ray disc (BD)2), and any hybrids of these families. The term "optical disc" also includes each type of disc within a family, including injection moulded [read-only memory (ROM)], dye-layer [recordable (R)] and phase change [rewriteable (RW), random access memory (RAM)] technologies. While some of the recommendations in this International Standard (e.g. those for staff training) apply specifically to large-scale or long term usage, the basics of all recommendations in this International Standard are intended to be applied in circumstances where the desired result is long-term usage of the medium whether archival, commercial or personal. This International Standard does not cover magneto-optical (MO) discs, laser discs (LD) or glass discs. At the time of writing, International Standards do not exist for HD DVD and Blu-ray discs. Nonetheless, it is believed that the recommendations in this International Standard for care and handling can equally apply to them. It is recognized that some of these requirements are not necessarily possible for the individual user to achieve. The following are within the scope of this International Standard: - use and handling environments, including pollutants, temperature and humidity and light exposure; - contamination concerns; - inspection; - cleaning and maintenance, including cleaning methods and frequency; - transportation; - disasters, including water, fire, construction and post-disaster procedures; - staff training. The quality of the data written on the disc is outside the scope of this International Standard. However, a high quality result of the recording phase is important to the longevity of information. It is advisable that a rigorous program of data integrity testing be implemented, as this forms an obligatory part of all digital long-term storage. In addition, when keeping digital information for archival purposes, it is advisable that a multiple copy/multiple location strategy be in place.

Matériaux pour l'image - Disques optiques - Précautions et manipulation pour stockage étendu

Upodobitveni materiali - Optične plošče - Nega in ravnanje za dolgo shranjevanje

Ta mednarodni standard vzpostavlja splošna načela za nego in ravnanje z digitalnimi optičnimi ploščami med uporabo. Obravnava vprašanja fizikalne celovitosti medija, ki je potrebna za ohranjanje dostopa do posnetih podatkov (informacij). Ta mednarodni standard vključuje priporočila za postopke ravnanja, s katerimi se čim bolj podaljša efektivna življenjska doba optičnih plošč. Napačne tehnike in metode ravnanja, pakiranja in prevoza pogosto povzročajo fizično škodo na ploščah in vsebini, ki je na njih navedena. Za podaljšanje življenjske dobe optičnih plošč je potrebna identifikacija ustreznih metod ravnanja ter dobro razviti in izvajani programi usposabljanja. Za ta mednarodni standard izraz »optična plošča« vključuje družine kompaktnih diskov (CD), digitalnih prilagodljivih plošč (DVD, digitalnih prilagodljivih plošč z veliko ločljivostjo (HD DVD) in diskov Blu-ray (BD)2) ter hibride teh družin. Izraz »optična plošča« vključuje tudi vse vrste plošč v družini, vključno z brizganimi [plošča z bralnim pomnilnikom (ROM)], barvnoslojnimi [snemalna plošča (R)] in fazno spremenljivimi [zapisljiva plošča (RW), plošča z bralno-pisalnim pomnilnikom (RAM)] tehnologijami. Čeprav nekatera od priporočil v tem mednarodnem standardu (npr. priporočila za usposabljanje osebja) veljajo specifično za obsežno ali dolgotrajno uporabo, osnove vseh priporočil v tem mednarodnem standardu veljajo v okoliščinah, v katerih je želeni rezultat dolgotrajna uporaba medija, ne glede na to, ali gre za arhivsko, komercialno ali osebno rabo. Ta mednarodni standard ne zajema magnetno-optičnih (MO) plošč, laserskih plošč (LD) ali steklenih plošč. V času, ko to pišemo, mednarodni standardi za plošče HD DVD in Blu-ray ne obstajajo. Domneva pa se, da priporočila za nego in ravnanje iz tega mednarodnega standarda lahko veljajo tudi zanje. Priznava se, da nekaterih od teh zahtev posamezen uporabnik morda ne more izpolniti. V okvir tega mednarodnega standarda spada spodaj navedeno: - okolja za uporabo in ravnanje, vključno z izpostavljenostjo onesnaževalom, temperaturi in vlagi ter svetlobi; - pomisleki glede kontaminacije; - nadzor; - čiščenje in vzdrževanje, vključno z metodami in pogostostjo čiščenja; - prevoz; - nesreče, vključno s poplavami, požarom, nesrečami pri izdelavi in postopki po nesreči; - usposabljanje osebja. Kakovost podatkov, zapisanih na ploščo, ni predmet tega mednarodnega standarda. Vendar pa je visoka kakovost rezultatov med snemanjem pomembna za dolgoživost informacij. Priporočljivo je, da se izvaja strog program preskušanja celovitosti podatkov, saj je obvezen del vsakega dolgoročnega shranjevanja digitalnih zapisov. Poleg tega je pri shranjevanju digitalnih informacij v arhiv priporočljivo, da je vzpostavljena strategija več kopij/več lokacij.

General Information

Status
Withdrawn
Publication Date
09-Jun-2011
Withdrawal Date
07-Oct-2014
Technical Committee
Current Stage
9900 - Withdrawal (Adopted Project)
Start Date
07-Oct-2014
Due Date
30-Oct-2014
Completion Date
08-Oct-2014

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INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 18938
First edition
2008-09-15
Imaging materials — Optical discs — Care
and handling for extended storage
Matériaux pour l'image — Disques optiques — Précautions et
manipulation pour stockage étendu

Reference number
ISO 18938:2008(E)
©
ISO 2008

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ISO 18938:2008(E)
PDF disclaimer
This PDF file may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, this file may be printed or viewed but shall
not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In
downloading this file, parties accept therein the responsibility of not infringing Adobe's licensing policy. The ISO Central Secretariat
accepts no liability in this area.
Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Details of the software products used to create this PDF file can be found in the General Info relative to the file; the PDF-creation
parameters were optimized for printing. Every care has been taken to ensure that the file is suitable for use by ISO member bodies. In the
unlikely event that a problem relating to it is found, please inform the Central Secretariat at the address given below.
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2008
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56  CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
©
ii ISO 2008 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
ISO 18938:2008(E)
Contents Page
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 2
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Composition of optical discs . 6
4.1 General . 6
4.2 Polycarbonate substrate (plastic) layer . 6
4.3 Data layer . 6
4.4 Reflective layer . 7
4.5 Protective layers . 7
4.6 Adhesive layers . 7
4.7 Additional layers . 8
5 Failure mechanisms . 8
5.1 General . 8
5.2 Physical stress . 8
5.3 Layer sensitivity . 8
5.4 Scratches . 9
5.5 Effects of disc play . 9
6 Handling techniques . 10
6.1 General . 10
6.2 Flexing . 10
6.3 Contamination . 10
6.4 Disc enclosures . 10
7 Identification . 11
7.1 Basic concepts . 11
7.2 Adhesive labels . 11
7.3 Printing on optical discs . 11
7.4 Thermal printing . 11
7.5 Inkjet printable surface . 12
7.6 Silk screening . 12
7.7 Marking . 12
8 Contamination . 12
8.1 Fingerprints, smudges, dirt, dust . 12
8.2 Moisture . 12
8.3 Organic solvents . 12
8.4 Gaseous impurities . 13
8.5 Consumables . 13
9 Use environment . 13
9.1 General . 13
9.2 Temperature and humidity . 13
©
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ISO 18938:2008(E)
9.3 Water avoidance . 14
9.4 Air quality . 14
9.5 Light exposure . 14
9.6 Acclimatization . 14
9.7 Vibrations . 15
10 Transportation and shipping . 15
10.1 Enclosures . 15
10.2 Cartons . 15
10.3 Exposure . 16
10.4 Security . 16
10.5 External fields . 16
10.6 Biological irradiation . 16
11 Inspection . 16
11.1 General requirements . 16
11.2 Error rate monitoring . 17
12 Cleaning and maintenance . 17
12.1 General . 17
12.2 Solvents and cleaning compounds . 17
12.3 Cleaning methods . 17
13 Disasters . 18
13.1 General . 18
13.2 Water . 18
13.3 Fire . 18
13.4 Dry debris . 18
13.5 Impact from disasters . 19
13.6 Repair . 19
14 Disaster response . 19
14.1 General . 19
14.2 Wet discs . 19
14.3 Dry discs . 19
15 Staff training . 19
15.1 General . 19
15.2 Purpose . 20
15.3 Training paths . 20
15.4 Schedule for training . 20
15.5 Update of training . 20
15.6 Content of training . 20
16 Minimum handling requirements checklist . 21
16.1 General . 21
16.2 Do list . 21
16.3 Not-to-do list . 21
Annex A (informative) Disc structure . 22
Bibliography . 24
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ISO 18938:2008(E)
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.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 18938 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 42, Photography.
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ISO 18938:2008(E)
Introduction
1)
In addition to storage conditions, the proper care and handling of optical discs is also vital to prolonged disc
life. This is becoming increasingly important as optical discs are widely used for the recording and storage of
information. This International Standard gives guidelines for their recommended care and handling and will be
beneficial for all digital optical discs, regardless of their inherent stability.
Probably no form of data storage has been accepted and adopted as rapidly as the optical disc. It has become
the medium of choice for numerous applications with ever increasing use for the recording and storage of
information. Information is recorded in digital format that not only provides high storage density, but also allows
duplication without information loss, ease of data manipulation and facilitates transmission. It is of tremendous
benefit for audio usage since it permits uninterrupted playback for long periods of time. Information in a disc
format can be accessed very quickly, unlike that in a roll format such as magnetic tape, which requires longer
search time.
While the advantages are many, as with other media, there are nevertheless concerns about the life expectancy
of recorded information on optical discs. This depends upon three independent components, namely the
permanence of the disc itself, the disc drive and the software. Obsolescence of the disc drive and software, lack
of playback device or inoperability of the playback device are all serious uncertainties. Another important issue
is the quality of the initial data recorded onto the disc, which needs to be as high as possible. In addition, the
very popularity of recordable optical discs has led to their wide availability, and wide variability in the quality of
discs for long term preservation of information. Many discs may not be of sufficient quality for long term use.
The finite life of optical discs is well recognized and one approach to addressing this issue is by periodically
transferring or reformatting the information. In addition, the ability to play back a disc in the future depends on
the existence of functional playback equipment. As newer formats and equipment become popular, equipment
manufacturers will probably discontinue production and support of the older, superseded equipment. Eventually,
usable equipment to play obsolete optical disc formats will become difficult to find. Before this occurs, it is
advisable that a migration plan be in place. However, these issues are outside the scope of this International
Standard, which is only concerned with the stability of the optical disc itself. A primary objective of those
involved with the preservation of information on this media is to ensure that the disc is not the weak link among
the necessary components. To support this objective, it is advisable that steps be taken to maximize the optical
disc's potential to be more stable than either the hardware or the software.
As with paper records, photographic film and magnetic tape, optical discs are subject to both damage and
decay. They have a finite life. Predictions of the life expectancy of optical discs have involved extrapolations of
property retention after high temperature and humidity incubations back to practical conditions. These
extrapolations follow mathematical treatments that were developed for simpler chemical reactions, and
therefore the results need to be interpreted with some caution. Predictions cover a very wide range, from
25 years to over 250 years, which vary with the manufacturer and the disc type. Their effective life can be
increased or decreased significantly depending upon the conditions under which they are stored. Storage
recommendations for optical discs are given in ISO 18925. Following these recommendations promotes the
physical integrity of the media and increases their effective life.
1) It is recognized that both “optical discs” and “optical disks” are acceptable spellings. In this International Standard, the
former spelling is used.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 18938:2008(E)
Imaging materials — Optical discs — Care and handling for
extended storage
1Scope
This International Standard establishes general principles for the care and handling of digital optical discs
during use. It addresses the issues of physical integrity of the medium necessary to preserve access to the
recorded data (information). This International Standard includes recommendations for handling procedures to
maximize the effective life of optical discs. Faulty handling, packing and transporting techniques and methods
often cause physical damage to the discs and to the content recorded thereon. Extending the longevity of
optical discs requires the identification of appropriate handling methods, as well as well-developed and
implemented training programs.
For the purposes of this International Standard, the term “optical disc” includes the families of compact disc
2)
(CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), high definition digital versatile disc (HD DVD) and Blu-ray disc (BD) , and any
hybrids of these families. The term “optical disc” also includes each type of disc within a family, including
injection moulded [read-only memory (ROM)], dye-layer [recordable (R)] and phase change [rewriteable (RW),
random access memory (RAM)] technologies.
While some of the recommendations in this International Standard (e.g. those for staff training) apply
specifically to large-scale or long term usage, the basics of all recommendations in this International Standard
are intended to be applied in circumstances where the desired result is long-term usage of the medium whether
archival, commercial or personal.
This International Standard does not cover magneto-optical (MO) discs, laser discs (LD) or glass discs. At the
time of writing, International Standards do not exist for HD DVD and Blu-ray discs. Nonetheless, it is believed
that the recommendations in this International Standard for care and handling can equally apply to them. It is
recognized that some of these requirements are not necessarily possible for the individual user to achieve.
The following are within the scope of this International Standard:
— use and handling environments, including pollutants, temperature and humidity and light exposure;
— contamination concerns;
— inspection;
— cleaning and maintenance, including cleaning methods and frequency;
— transportation;
— disasters, including water, fire, construction and post-disaster procedures;
— staff training.
The quality of the data written on the disc is outside the scope of this International Standard. However, a high
quality result of the recording phase is important to the longevity of information. It is advisable that a rigorous
program of data integrity testing be implemented, as this forms an obligatory part of all digital long-term storage.
In addition, when keeping digital information for archival purposes, it is advisable that a multiple copy/multiple
location strategy be in place.
2) Blu-ray disc and HD DVD are examples of suitable products available commercially. This information is given for the
convenience of users of this International Standard and does not constitute an endorsement by ISO of these products.
©
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ISO 18938:2008(E)
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document
(including any amendments) applies.
ISO 14644-1, Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments — Part 1: Classification of air cleanliness
ISO 18925, Imaging materials — Optical disc media — Storage practices
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
3)
Amaray case
case designed for DVD discs slightly larger than a jewel case
3.2
acclimatization
staging
process of conditioning material from one set of temperature-moisture conditions to another
3.3
balance
precision vertical position of the disc as it spins
3.4
blister
localized delamination that looks like a bubble
3.5
Blu-ray disc
BD
optical disc in which one or more information layers are located between two layers and the data can be read by
an optical beam with a wave length of 405 nm
3.5.1
read only memory BD-ROM
optical disc to which information is transferred during manufacture to moulded areas in the Blu-ray disc format
and can be read multiple times by an optical beam
3.5.2
recordable BD-R
recordable optical disc in which information can be recorded once to areas in the Blu-ray disc format and read
many times
3.5.3
rewriteable BD-RE
recordable optical disc in which information can be recorded to areas in the Blu-ray disc format and can be
erased, rerecorded and read many times
3) Amaray case is an example of a suitable product available commercially. This information is given for the convenience of
users of this International Standard and does not constitute an endorsement by ISO of this product.
©
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ISO 18938:2008(E)
3.6
carton
box outer container that can hold one or more individual units and can be a fabrication of paper, card stock or
plastic
3.7
compact disc
CD
optical disc in which the information layer is located near one surface of a substrate and the data can be read by
an optical beam
NOTE Described in IEC 60908.
3.7.1
read only memory CD-ROM
optical disc to which information is transferred during manufacture to moulded areas in the compact disc format
and can be read multiple times by an optical beam
NOTE Described in ISO/IEC 10149.
3.7.2
recordable CD-R
recordable optical disc in which information can be recorded once to areas in the compact disc format and read
many times
3.7.3
rewritable CD-RW
recordable optical disc in which information can be recorded to areas in the compact disc format and can be
erased, rerecorded and read many times
3.8
conditioning
exposure of a material to air at a given relative humidity and temperature until equilibrium is reached
3.9
container
box, can or carton used for storage and shipping of recording materials
EXAMPLE The box into which a reel, cassette, cartridge or shell is placed.
3.10
delamination
separation of a laminate into its constituent layers
3.11
digital versatile disc
DVD
optical disc in which one or more information layers are located between two substrates and the data can be
read by an optical beam with a wave length of between 635 nm and 650 nm
NOTE Formerly called digital video disc.
3.11.1
read only memory DVD-ROM
optical disc in which information is transferred during manufacture to certain areas in the DVD format and can
be read multiple times by an optical beam
NOTE Described in ISO/IEC 16448 and ISO/IEC 16449.
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ISO 18938:2008(E)
3.11.2
recordable DVD-R, +R
recordable optical disc in which information can be recorded once to areas in the DVD disc format and read
many times
NOTE Described in ISO/IEC 23912, ISO/IEC 17344 and ISO/IEC 25434.
3.11.3
rewriteable DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, +RW
DVD optical discs that can be written, read and overwritten many times using phase change technology
NOTE 1 See Annex A.
NOTE 2 Described in ISO/IEC 17592, ISO/IEC 17341 and ISO/IEC 26925.
3.12
enclosure
case, cartridge, folder, envelope, sleeve or clam shell that is intended for physical protection against mechanical
damage
3.13
extended-term storage conditions
storage conditions suitable for the preservation of recorded information having permanent value
3.14
high definition digital versatile disc
HD DVD
optical disc in which one or more information layers are located between two substrates and the data can be
read by an optical beam with a wave length of 405 nm
NOTE Sometimes called high density digital versatile disc.
3.14.1
read only memory HD DVD-ROM
optical disc in which information is transferred during manufacture to certain areas in the HD DVD format and
can be read multiple times by an optical beam
3.14.2
recordable HD DVD-R
recordable optical disc in which information can be recorded once to areas in the HD DVD disc format and read
many times
3.14.3
rewriteable HD DVD-RW
DVD optical discs that can be written, read and overwritten many times using phase change technology
3.15
information
data recorded using the system
3.16
insulated record container
storage box designed to provide an environmental buffer against temperature and humidity fluctuations
3.17
jewel case
plastic enclosure featuring a hinged lid and one or more trays, each containing a hub clamp to secure and
protect the disc surface
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ISO 18938:2008(E)
3.18
macroenvironment
atmospheric conditions in a large area in which records are kept
NOTE Atmospheric conditions are temperature, relative humidity and pollutants.
3.19
medium
material on which information is recorded
3.20
microenvironment
atmospheric conditions inside a storage enclosure in which records are kept
NOTE Atmospheric conditions are temperature, relative humidity and pollutants.
3.21
optical disc
disc that will accept and retain information from light modulation changes in a recording or reflective layer that
can be read with an optical beam
3.22
optical disc cartridge
ODC
optical disc enclosure required for the operation of the disc
3.23
recording layer
layer of an optical disc on which data is written either during manufacture or in u
...

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST ISO 18938:2011
01-julij-2011
8SRGRELWYHQLPDWHULDOL2SWLþQHSORãþH1HJDLQUDYQDQMH]DGROJRVKUDQMHYDQMH
Imaging materials - Optical discs - Care and handling for extended storage
Matériaux pour l'image - Disques optiques - Précautions et manipulation pour stockage
étendu
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ISO 18938:2008
ICS:
35.220.30 2SWLþQHVKUDQMHYDOQH Optical storage devices
QDSUDYH
37.040.99 Drugi standardi v zvezi s Other standards related to
fotografijo photography
SIST ISO 18938:2011 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------

SIST ISO 18938:2011

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------

SIST ISO 18938:2011
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 18938
First edition
2008-09-15
Imaging materials — Optical discs — Care
and handling for extended storage
Matériaux pour l'image — Disques optiques — Précautions et
manipulation pour stockage étendu

Reference number
ISO 18938:2008(E)
©
ISO 2008

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------

SIST ISO 18938:2011
ISO 18938:2008(E)
PDF disclaimer
This PDF file may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, this file may be printed or viewed but shall
not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In
downloading this file, parties accept therein the responsibility of not infringing Adobe's licensing policy. The ISO Central Secretariat
accepts no liability in this area.
Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Details of the software products used to create this PDF file can be found in the General Info relative to the file; the PDF-creation
parameters were optimized for printing. Every care has been taken to ensure that the file is suitable for use by ISO member bodies. In the
unlikely event that a problem relating to it is found, please inform the Central Secretariat at the address given below.
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2008
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56  CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
©
ii ISO 2008 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------

SIST ISO 18938:2011
ISO 18938:2008(E)
Contents Page
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 2
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Composition of optical discs . 6
4.1 General . 6
4.2 Polycarbonate substrate (plastic) layer . 6
4.3 Data layer . 6
4.4 Reflective layer . 7
4.5 Protective layers . 7
4.6 Adhesive layers . 7
4.7 Additional layers . 8
5 Failure mechanisms . 8
5.1 General . 8
5.2 Physical stress . 8
5.3 Layer sensitivity . 8
5.4 Scratches . 9
5.5 Effects of disc play . 9
6 Handling techniques . 10
6.1 General . 10
6.2 Flexing . 10
6.3 Contamination . 10
6.4 Disc enclosures . 10
7 Identification . 11
7.1 Basic concepts . 11
7.2 Adhesive labels . 11
7.3 Printing on optical discs . 11
7.4 Thermal printing . 11
7.5 Inkjet printable surface . 12
7.6 Silk screening . 12
7.7 Marking . 12
8 Contamination . 12
8.1 Fingerprints, smudges, dirt, dust . 12
8.2 Moisture . 12
8.3 Organic solvents . 12
8.4 Gaseous impurities . 13
8.5 Consumables . 13
9 Use environment . 13
9.1 General . 13
9.2 Temperature and humidity . 13
©
ISO 2008 – All rights reserved iii

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SIST ISO 18938:2011
ISO 18938:2008(E)
9.3 Water avoidance . 14
9.4 Air quality . 14
9.5 Light exposure . 14
9.6 Acclimatization . 14
9.7 Vibrations . 15
10 Transportation and shipping . 15
10.1 Enclosures . 15
10.2 Cartons . 15
10.3 Exposure . 16
10.4 Security . 16
10.5 External fields . 16
10.6 Biological irradiation . 16
11 Inspection . 16
11.1 General requirements . 16
11.2 Error rate monitoring . 17
12 Cleaning and maintenance . 17
12.1 General . 17
12.2 Solvents and cleaning compounds . 17
12.3 Cleaning methods . 17
13 Disasters . 18
13.1 General . 18
13.2 Water . 18
13.3 Fire . 18
13.4 Dry debris . 18
13.5 Impact from disasters . 19
13.6 Repair . 19
14 Disaster response . 19
14.1 General . 19
14.2 Wet discs . 19
14.3 Dry discs . 19
15 Staff training . 19
15.1 General . 19
15.2 Purpose . 20
15.3 Training paths . 20
15.4 Schedule for training . 20
15.5 Update of training . 20
15.6 Content of training . 20
16 Minimum handling requirements checklist . 21
16.1 General . 21
16.2 Do list . 21
16.3 Not-to-do list . 21
Annex A (informative) Disc structure . 22
Bibliography . 24
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SIST ISO 18938:2011
ISO 18938:2008(E)
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.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 18938 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 42, Photography.
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SIST ISO 18938:2011
ISO 18938:2008(E)
Introduction
1)
In addition to storage conditions, the proper care and handling of optical discs is also vital to prolonged disc
life. This is becoming increasingly important as optical discs are widely used for the recording and storage of
information. This International Standard gives guidelines for their recommended care and handling and will be
beneficial for all digital optical discs, regardless of their inherent stability.
Probably no form of data storage has been accepted and adopted as rapidly as the optical disc. It has become
the medium of choice for numerous applications with ever increasing use for the recording and storage of
information. Information is recorded in digital format that not only provides high storage density, but also allows
duplication without information loss, ease of data manipulation and facilitates transmission. It is of tremendous
benefit for audio usage since it permits uninterrupted playback for long periods of time. Information in a disc
format can be accessed very quickly, unlike that in a roll format such as magnetic tape, which requires longer
search time.
While the advantages are many, as with other media, there are nevertheless concerns about the life expectancy
of recorded information on optical discs. This depends upon three independent components, namely the
permanence of the disc itself, the disc drive and the software. Obsolescence of the disc drive and software, lack
of playback device or inoperability of the playback device are all serious uncertainties. Another important issue
is the quality of the initial data recorded onto the disc, which needs to be as high as possible. In addition, the
very popularity of recordable optical discs has led to their wide availability, and wide variability in the quality of
discs for long term preservation of information. Many discs may not be of sufficient quality for long term use.
The finite life of optical discs is well recognized and one approach to addressing this issue is by periodically
transferring or reformatting the information. In addition, the ability to play back a disc in the future depends on
the existence of functional playback equipment. As newer formats and equipment become popular, equipment
manufacturers will probably discontinue production and support of the older, superseded equipment. Eventually,
usable equipment to play obsolete optical disc formats will become difficult to find. Before this occurs, it is
advisable that a migration plan be in place. However, these issues are outside the scope of this International
Standard, which is only concerned with the stability of the optical disc itself. A primary objective of those
involved with the preservation of information on this media is to ensure that the disc is not the weak link among
the necessary components. To support this objective, it is advisable that steps be taken to maximize the optical
disc's potential to be more stable than either the hardware or the software.
As with paper records, photographic film and magnetic tape, optical discs are subject to both damage and
decay. They have a finite life. Predictions of the life expectancy of optical discs have involved extrapolations of
property retention after high temperature and humidity incubations back to practical conditions. These
extrapolations follow mathematical treatments that were developed for simpler chemical reactions, and
therefore the results need to be interpreted with some caution. Predictions cover a very wide range, from
25 years to over 250 years, which vary with the manufacturer and the disc type. Their effective life can be
increased or decreased significantly depending upon the conditions under which they are stored. Storage
recommendations for optical discs are given in ISO 18925. Following these recommendations promotes the
physical integrity of the media and increases their effective life.
1) It is recognized that both “optical discs” and “optical disks” are acceptable spellings. In this International Standard, the
former spelling is used.
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SIST ISO 18938:2011
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 18938:2008(E)
Imaging materials — Optical discs — Care and handling for
extended storage
1Scope
This International Standard establishes general principles for the care and handling of digital optical discs
during use. It addresses the issues of physical integrity of the medium necessary to preserve access to the
recorded data (information). This International Standard includes recommendations for handling procedures to
maximize the effective life of optical discs. Faulty handling, packing and transporting techniques and methods
often cause physical damage to the discs and to the content recorded thereon. Extending the longevity of
optical discs requires the identification of appropriate handling methods, as well as well-developed and
implemented training programs.
For the purposes of this International Standard, the term “optical disc” includes the families of compact disc
2)
(CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), high definition digital versatile disc (HD DVD) and Blu-ray disc (BD) , and any
hybrids of these families. The term “optical disc” also includes each type of disc within a family, including
injection moulded [read-only memory (ROM)], dye-layer [recordable (R)] and phase change [rewriteable (RW),
random access memory (RAM)] technologies.
While some of the recommendations in this International Standard (e.g. those for staff training) apply
specifically to large-scale or long term usage, the basics of all recommendations in this International Standard
are intended to be applied in circumstances where the desired result is long-term usage of the medium whether
archival, commercial or personal.
This International Standard does not cover magneto-optical (MO) discs, laser discs (LD) or glass discs. At the
time of writing, International Standards do not exist for HD DVD and Blu-ray discs. Nonetheless, it is believed
that the recommendations in this International Standard for care and handling can equally apply to them. It is
recognized that some of these requirements are not necessarily possible for the individual user to achieve.
The following are within the scope of this International Standard:
— use and handling environments, including pollutants, temperature and humidity and light exposure;
— contamination concerns;
— inspection;
— cleaning and maintenance, including cleaning methods and frequency;
— transportation;
— disasters, including water, fire, construction and post-disaster procedures;
— staff training.
The quality of the data written on the disc is outside the scope of this International Standard. However, a high
quality result of the recording phase is important to the longevity of information. It is advisable that a rigorous
program of data integrity testing be implemented, as this forms an obligatory part of all digital long-term storage.
In addition, when keeping digital information for archival purposes, it is advisable that a multiple copy/multiple
location strategy be in place.
2) Blu-ray disc and HD DVD are examples of suitable products available commercially. This information is given for the
convenience of users of this International Standard and does not constitute an endorsement by ISO of these products.
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SIST ISO 18938:2011
ISO 18938:2008(E)
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document
(including any amendments) applies.
ISO 14644-1, Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments — Part 1: Classification of air cleanliness
ISO 18925, Imaging materials — Optical disc media — Storage practices
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
3)
amaray case
case designed for DVD discs slightly larger than a jewel case
3.2
acclimatization
staging
process of conditioning material from one set of temperature-moisture conditions to another
3.3
balance
precision vertical position of the disc as it spins
3.4
blister
localized delamination that looks like a bubble
3.5
blu-ray disc
BD
optical disc in which one or more information layers are located between two layers and the data can be read by
an optical beam with a wave length of 405 nm
3.5.1
read only memory bd-rom
optical disc to which information is transferred during manufacture to moulded areas in the Blu-ray disc format
and can be read multiple times by an optical beam
3.5.2
recordable BD-R
recordable optical disc in which information can be recorded once to areas in the Blu-ray disc format and read
many times
3.5.3
rewriteable bd-re
recordable optical disc in which information can be recorded to areas in the Blu-ray disc format and can be
erased, rerecorded and read many times
3) Amaray case is an example of a suitable product available commercially. This information is given for the convenience of
users of this International Standard and does not constitute an endorsement by ISO of this product.
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SIST ISO 18938:2011
ISO 18938:2008(E)
3.6
carton
box outer container that can hold one or more individual units and can be a fabrication of paper, card stock or
plastic
3.7
compact disc
CD
optical disc in which the information layer is located near one surface of a substrate and the data can be read by
an optical beam
NOTE Described in IEC 60908.
3.7.1
read only memory CD-ROM
optical disc to which information is transferred during manufacture to moulded areas in the compact disc format
and can be read multiple times by an optical beam
NOTE Described in ISO/IEC 10149.
3.7.2
recordable CD-R
recordable optical disc in which information can be recorded once to areas in the compact disc format and read
many times
3.7.3
rewritable CD-RW
recordable optical disc in which information can be recorded to areas in the compact disc format and can be
erased, rerecorded and read many times
3.8
conditioning
exposure of a material to air at a given relative humidity and temperature until equilibrium is reached
3.9
container
box, can or carton used for storage and shipping of recording materials
EXAMPLE The box into which a reel, cassette, cartridge or shell is placed.
3.10
delamination
separation of a laminate into its constituent layers
3.11
digital versatile disc
DVD
optical disc in which one or more information layers are located between two substrates and the data can be
read by an optical beam with a wave length of between 635 nm and 650 nm
NOTE Formerly called digital video disc.
3.11.1
read only memory DVD-ROM
optical disc in which information is transferred during manufacture to certain areas in the DVD format and can
be read multiple times by an optical beam
NOTE Described in ISO/IEC 16448 and ISO/IEC 16449.
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SIST ISO 18938:2011
ISO 18938:2008(E)
3.11.2
recordable DVD-R, +R
recordable optical disc in which information can be recorded once to areas in the DVD disc format and read
many times
NOTE Described in ISO/IEC 23912, ISO/IEC 17344 and ISO/IEC 25434.
3.11.3
rewriteable DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, +RW
DVD optical discs that can be written, read and overwritten many times using phase change technology
NOTE 1 See Annex A.
NOTE 2 Described in ISO/IEC 17592, ISO/IEC 17341 and ISO/IEC 26925.
3.12
enclosure
case, cartridge, folder, envelope, sleeve or clam shell that is intended for physical protection against mechanical
damage
3.13
extended-term storage conditions
storage conditions suitable for the preservation of recorded information having permanent value
3.14
high definition digital versatile disc
HD DVD
optical disc in which one or more information layers are located between two substrates and the data can be
read by an optical beam with a wave length of 405 nm
NOTE Sometimes called high density digital versatile disc.
3.14.1
read only memory HD DVD-ROM
optical disc in which information is transferred during manufacture to certain areas in the HD DVD format and
can be read multiple times by an optical beam
3.14.2
recordable HD DVD-R
recordable optical disc in which information can be recorded once to areas in the HD DVD disc format and read
many times
3.14.3
rewriteable HD DVD-RW
DVD optical discs that can be written, read and overwritten many times using phase change technology
3.15
information
data recorded using the system
3.16
insulated record container
storage box designed to provide an environmental buffer against temperature and humidity fluctuations
3.17
jewel case
plastic
...

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