BS ISO 11108-1996 PDF

Full title and description

STB BS ISO 11108-1996 — Information and documentation — Archival paper — Requirements for permanence and durability. This standard specifies minimum requirements for unprinted archival paper intended for documents and publications that must be retained permanently and may be subjected to frequent use. It defines physical and chemical characteristics, test criteria and related conditioning/sampling procedures to ensure long‑term stability and durability of paper used for permanent records.

Abstract

ISO 11108:1996 sets out the technical requirements for high‑permanence, high‑durability unprinted archival paper. The standard covers essential properties (alkalinity/alkali reserve, pH, strength, ageing behaviour and related attributes) and refers to standard test and sampling methods to verify compliance. It was published in 1996 (adopted by BSI as BS ISO 11108:1996) and has since been superseded by a revised edition published in 2025.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (1996 edition superseded by a 2025 revision)
• Publication date: ISO publication: December 1996; BSI adoption/publication as BS ISO 11108:1996: 15 March 1997
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO); British Standards Institution (BSI) for the BS adoption
• ICS / categories: 01.140.20 (Information sciences), 85.060 (Paper and board)
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (1996) — identified as ISO 11108:1996 / BS ISO 11108:1996
• Number of pages: ISO original edition: 4 pages (BS adoption editions commonly published in a longer BSI format — typically cited as 10 pages)

Scope

This standard applies to unprinted paper intended for documents and publications required for permanent retention and frequent use (archival records, legal and official documents, important publications). It specifies minimum chemical and physical requirements and the test methods and sampling procedures needed to demonstrate that paper will meet permanence and durability expectations over long periods under normal archive and handling conditions.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of archival (high‑permanence) unprinted paper and its intended applications.
• Chemical requirements: limits on acidity (pH), required alkali reserve/alkalinity and restrictions on degradative components (e.g., free acid and harmful additives).
• Physical and mechanical requirements: tensile strength, tear resistance and other strength parameters to endure frequent handling.
• Aging and permanence criteria: accelerated ageing test guidance and pass/fail criteria to assess long‑term stability.
• Sampling and conditioning: reference to standard procedures for sampling, conditioning and atmosphere control prior to testing.
• Referenced test methods and normative references (examples: ISO 10716, ISO 186, ISO 187 for alkali reserve, sampling and conditioning procedures).
• Documentation and marking recommendations to support traceability and proof of compliance.

Typical use and users

Typical users include national and institutional archives, libraries, records managers, government departments, museums, publishers producing archival‑grade blanks or forms, paper manufacturers and quality laboratories. The standard is used when specifying paper for permanent records, procurement of archival paper, compliance testing by laboratories, and in conservation or collection management policies.

Related standards

Standards commonly referenced together with ISO 11108 include ISO 9706 (Paper for documents — Requirements for permanence), ISO 186 (Sampling to determine average quality), ISO 187 (Standard atmosphere for conditioning and testing), ISO 10716 (Determination of alkali reserve), and other ISO/TC 46 / SC 10 documents on storage and preservation. The 1996 edition has been replaced by a revised ISO 11108 published in 2025.

Keywords

archival paper, permanence, durability, unprinted paper, alkali reserve, pH, ageing tests, tensile strength, tear resistance, sampling, conditioning, records preservation, library materials

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 11108:1996 (adopted as BS ISO 11108:1996) is an international standard that specifies requirements for unprinted archival paper intended for permanent retention and frequent use, covering chemical and physical durability criteria and related test procedures.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers minimum chemical (pH, alkali reserve) and mechanical (strength, tear resistance) properties, accelerated ageing/permanence criteria, and sampling and conditioning procedures needed to assess whether paper is suitable for long‑term archival use.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Archivists, librarians, records managers, conservation professionals, paper manufacturers, procurement officers for public bodies, and testing laboratories use the standard to specify, supply, or verify archival‑quality paper.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 1996 edition is withdrawn and has been superseded by a revised ISO 11108 published in 2025. The 1996 text is therefore historic; organizations requiring current compliance should refer to ISO 11108:2025 or their national adoption of that revision.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It belongs to the suite of information and documentation standards maintained by ISO/TC 46 (particularly SC 10) addressing paper permanence, storage and preservation. It is closely related to ISO 9706 and other standards dealing with paper testing and preservation.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Archival paper; permanence; durability; alkali reserve; pH; ageing tests; tensile strength; tear resistance; records preservation; unprinted paper.