Volume 3, Number 3
Aug 1990

Standards Update

ASTM

• D 3301-85, Standard Specification for File Folders for Storage of Permanent Records, is in the process of being reapproved. Like the other ASTM standards for permanent paper, this one has three types or levels of permanence; only the one for maximum permanence, Type I, calls for an alkaline pH and alkaline buffer.
• Subcommittee D06.40 an Recycled Paper met for the first time April 17, at the initiative of the National Association of State Purchasing Officials working with the Council of State Governments. There was a sense of urgency, because the purchasing agent of each state has been asking the paper industry for paper made to its own specs, and because the states did not agree, the paper industry could not respond. Five Task Groups were formed to address specific areas of concern on recycled paper: Terminology, Printing/Writing Paper, Tissue Paper, Newsprint, and Packaging Paper and Board. The Printing and Writing Task Group had over twice as many people in attendance as any of the other groups, and had to establish six working groups (one to revise D 3460 on recycled copy papers, and one each on computer, envelope, carbonless, text and cover, and general purpose offset papers). It also held an extra meeting July 17, for which the minutes have not been issued yet. It will meet with the other four Task Groups in New Orleans, September 26-28 (not 19-21, as earlier announced). The state archivists for Delaware and New Jersey attended the April and (it is believed) the July meeting, but few if any other people able to speak for Permanence interests. Anyone interested in the subject is encouraged to attend; call Wendy Dyer at ASTM, 215/299-5526.

ISO

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) working group that is putting together the world's first international paper Permanence standard met April 18-19 in Copenhagen. A verbal report was published on P. 13 of the May issue of this newsletter. Since then, the minutes have been sent out, and a few corrections are in order: Aging conditions of 80°/65% were decided on for the round robin; the third draft of the standard calls for 80% retention of tear resistance; and the same draft also sets an upper pH limit of 10.5 rather than 9.5. Round robin testing will cover tear, alkaline reserve, kappa number or fiber content and pH, and samples are due in by September 15. The next meeting will be in London, November 8-9.

CEN

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN), technical committee CEN/TC 172 on Paper, Board and Pulp, is considering whether to set up a temporary Working Group to study the question of permanent papers, or to wait until the ISO Working Group completes its work. CEN seems to be part of the European Community structure, so any standard it formulated would have a more official role than any ISO standard. Its last meeting was in April, and the next one may be in November.

NISO

The National Information Standards Organization has scheduled revision of Z39.48, Permanence of Paper for Publications and Documents in Libraries and Archives, for October. A report of issues discussed in the February meeting is on P. 16 of the May issue of this newsletter.

DIN

The German standards organization, DIN, has drafted a standard for use only as a working paper in the ISO and CEN working groups. Its number and name are DIN 006738, Paper and Board Lifespan Classes. Since it is now being made available to the public for review and comments, the Abbey Publications office can send copies to readers on request for a self-addressed stamped envelope. The draft is only four pages long.