New Standards in Preventive Conservation Management

Abstract

Standards are an important tool in preventive conservation management. The international standard ISO 11799:2003 “Information and documentation - Document storage requirements for archive and library materials” covers many relevant areas where preventive conservation is applied. Therefore, this standard is a crucial tool in establishing and demanding of “good” environmental conditions for collections, e.g. with regard to set points of temperature and relative humidity in storage. In times when climate change and the impact of fossil fuels on the planet receive a lot of attention the necessity to restrict oneself to narrow range values is being discussed, as is more flexibility in climate control standards in an international debate on the so-called Plus/Minus Dilemma.

In addition to this international standard and to ISO 16245 on enclosures for documents a large number of European standards relevant for libraries have been published in the last years or are underway. The standardization project “Conservation of cultural heritage” of the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN, Technical Committee 346) represents the first initiative to cover all areas of conservation. The intended series of standards is relevant for immobile as well as mobile artefacts. The CEN/TC 346 closely interacts with international organizations such as ICOM-CC, International Council of Museums Conservation Committee. The IFLA Section Preservation and Conservation has Liaison status as well. The new standards are expected to unify and improve the quality of conservation throughout Europe. Eleven Working Groups with about 200 experts from cultural institutions, universities, and global companies are dealing with issues such as environmental conditions, showcases, packaging, and transport methods. Since 2010, 18 standards have been published. Currently, 22 draft standards are being developed. The standards are intended to become international standards (ISOs). This presentation will give an overview on the relevant standards in the field of preventive conservation and will focus on the progress achieved in the European standardization project CEN/TC 346.