Photographic activity testing at the National Archives of Australia

I would like to draw people's attention to the Photographic Activity
Testing that has been carried out by the National Archives of
Australia (NAA) since 1996.  The testing is done as a service to the
preservation profession and the general public, and is aimed at
ensuring materials of suitable quality are used for the storage and
display of important historical photographic materials.

The materials that can be subjected to the test include papers,
boards, plastics, sleeves, albums, adhesives and tapes.

Testing is done according to International Standards Organisation
standard ISO 18916:2007 Imaging materials - Processed imaging
materials - Photographic activity test for enclosure materials.  The
Photographic Activity Test was developed by the Image Permanence
Institute of the United States to test the quality of photographic
storage materials.

Testing is carried out in the NAA paper testing facility which has
been accredited by National Association of Testing Authorities
(NATA).

A listing of all products which have passed the PAT is available on
the NAA website at:

    <URL:http://www.naa.gov.au/records-management/agency/preserve/physical-preservation/pat.aspx>

Testing is generally carried out on products used internally at the
NAA. However, there is limited scope to carry out the test for other
people - manufacturers, suppliers, conservators, heritage workers
and members of the general public.

If you have a sample you would like to get tested please contact:

    Ian Batterham
    Assistant Director, Preservation Services and Projects
    Quality Assurance and Support
    Operations and Preservation
    National Archives of Australia
    PO Box 7425, Canberra Business Centre ACT 2610
    +61 2 6212 3424
    Fax: +61 2 6212 3469


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 26:35
                 Distributed: Tuesday, January 29, 2013
                       Message Id: cdl-26-35-003
                                  ***