PAS 198 specification on environmental conditions for cultural collections

A new specification for environmental conditions for cultural
collections in the UK is being developed by BSI with sponsorship
from Collections Trust; CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales,
a division of the Welsh Assembly Government; The Museums, Libraries
and Archives Council (MLA) and The National Archives. The Publicly
Available Specification (PAS) will be called PAS 198 and is
scheduled for publication in May 2011.

PAS 198 Specification for environmental conditions for cultural
collections will provide a set of requirements for the environmental
conditions in which archive, library and museum collections should
be stored and displayed. It will include requirements for
temperature, relative humidity, light and pollution. It will apply
to cultural collections whether in storage, on display or on loan,
and to all types and sizes of collections held by all collecting
organizations such as archives, libraries and museums, both public
and private.

The overriding aim is to help minimize the damage to items caused by
inappropriate environmental conditions. It is intended that the PAS
will achieve this by providing a framework for risk-based decision
making that allows collecting organizations to identify and
implement controls that are tailored to the needs of particular
collections and buildings.

This risk-based approach reflects a growing consensus that there is
a need for an approach that allows for a more responsible use of
energy in the control of environmental conditions. This view is
supported by a call from the National Museum Directors' Conference
for a review of collections care policy and practice, with the aim
of reducing carbon emissions. It also reflects research findings
that have shown a need to move away from a prescriptive to an
evidence-led approach to environmental management.

PAS 198 will complement other work in progress in related areas, in
particular the review of BS 5454:2000, a standard for the storage
and exhibition of archival documents, and the forthcoming
development of a new European standard for the protection of
heritage objects under the aegis of CEN, the European Committee for
Standardization. For more information on the current initiatives in
this field, please see

    <URL:http://shop.bsigroup.com/pas198>

The development of PAS 198 Specification for environmental
conditions for cultural collections, will include a 4-week period of
open consultation, due to begin in early 2011. Interested parties
are invited to register to participate in the consultation at
<URL:http://shop.bsigroup.com/pas198>.

Nancy Bell, Head of Collection Care at The National Archives said:

   "We are delighted to be part of this important new initiative and
    look forward to working closely with our co-sponsors and with
    BSI to provide an up-to-date specification, which I believe will
    be widely welcomed by those caring for collections in archives,
    libraries and museums."

Mike Low, Director of BSI Standards commented:

   "Just as we have been able to enjoy collections in our time, it's
    essential that future generations can continue to do so. This
    PAS will help to make this possible by recognizing the
    importance of preserving collections in appropriate
    environmental conditions whilst at the same time ensuring that
    the resources used to do this are sustainable."

A PAS is a sponsored fast-track standard driven by the needs of the
client organization/s and developed according to guidelines set out
by BSI. Key stakeholders are brought together to collaboratively
produce a BSI-endorsed PAS that has all the functionality of a
British Standard for the purposes of creating management systems,
product benchmarks and codes of practice. After two years the PAS is
reviewed and a decision is made as to whether it should be taken
forward to become a formal British Standard.


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 24:11
                  Distributed: Tuesday, August 3, 2010
                       Message Id: cdl-24-11-001
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