Volume 5, Number 6 – December 2008

I3A’s “Eye on Standards” newsletter is issued every other month, to keep you informed and up-to-date on Standards activities and breaking news, as well as on important I3A membership activity.  If you have comments or questions, please send a message to Editor@I3A.org or to Jim Peyton, I3A Director of Standards and Technology, JamesP@I3A.org.

From the Director's Desk

James A. Peyton

New Enforcement of Travel with Batteries - Don’t get caught powerless for the holidays!

By James A. Peyton, I3A Director of Standards and Technology

As of January 1, 2008, the Department of Transportation (DOT) through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) no longer allowed loose Lithium-ion batteries in checked baggage. These include batteries for cameras, mobile phones, laptops, etc. Recently the TSA and airlines have been enforcing this rule. During recent travel to standards meetings in the USA and Europe, I was reminded by TSA inspectors and airline personnel to remove ALL Lithium-ion batteries from my checked baggage. These warnings occurred at NY’s JFK Airport, Detroit - Wayne County Airport, Amsterdam Schiphol, London Heathrow and Cologne-Bonn. I3A Members are urged to remind customers that Lithium batteries - even spare ones — should only be carried in cabin baggage. In the USA there was TSA signage at baggage check and inspection areas. I was told by one TSA inspector that batteries could be removed if found in checked bags, and that the upgraded enforcement was due to concerns over fire hazards.

TSA has a web site Safe Travel with Batteries and Devices that outlines suggested packaging and choice of batteries with marks from independent safety testing laboratories. Among the other tips:

• Keep batteries and equipment with you, or in carry-on baggage - not in your checked baggage! In the cabin, flight crew can better monitor conditions, and have access to the batteries or device if a fire does occur.
• Buy batteries from reputable sources and only use batteries approved for your device - avoid counterfeits! A counterfeit battery is more likely to cause a fire in your equipment - costing you more in the long run, and compromising safety.
• Do not carry recalled or damaged batteries on aircraft. Check battery recall information at the manufacturer’s web site, or at the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• Only charge batteries which you are sure are rechargeable! Non-rechargeable batteries are not designed for recharging, and become hazardous if placed in a battery charger. A non-rechargeable battery placed in a charger may overheat or cause damage later.
• Only use a charger compatible with your rechargeable battery - don’t mix and match!
• If original packaging is not available for spare batteries, effectively insulate battery terminals by isolating the batteries from contact with other batteries and metal. Do not permit a loose battery to come in contact with metal objects, such as coins, keys, or jewelry.

I3A’s Integrity in Transportation of Imaging Products (ITIP) committee is aware of the restriction and stepped up enforcement. ITIP will work with I3A membership and other organizations to educate the traveling public on proper transportation of batteries and devices.

Back to Top

Working Group Reports

ISO 5 Series Out for Ballot

As reported in the October Eye on Standards newsletter, TC42/JWG21 prepared the draft International texts for the following standards:

ISO 5-1 Photography and graphic technology - Density measurements - Part 1: Terms, symbols and notations

ISO 5-2 Photography and graphic technology - Density measurements - Part 2: Geometric conditions for transmission density

ISO 5-3 Photography and graphic technology - Density measurements - Part 3: Spectral conditions

ISO 5-4 Photography and graphic technology - Density measurements - Part 4: Geometric conditions for reflection density

These are fundamental standards to the imaging industry and are referenced in numerous standards including. graphic arts, silver halide photography, electronic imaging, image permanence and color.

Vote begins 2008-11-24

Vote closes 2009-04-24

JWG21 will address the ballot results and any comments at its meeting in Ft. Worth, TX tentatively scheduled for May 16, 2009.

Back to Top

New Ballot: ISO/DIS 18920 Imaging materials - Reflection prints-Storage practices

This International Standard specifies dark storage conditions, storage facilities, and procedures for the handling and inspection of reflection prints of all types and sizes.

Photographic and other reflection prints, including hard-copy output from digital imaging systems, have become increasingly important as documentary and pictorial reference material and art for consumers and in archives, libraries, government, commerce, museums, and academia. This has focused attention on the importance of the preservation of such materials to ensure their longest possible life.

The stability and useful life of reflection prints depend on their physical and chemical properties, as well as on the conditions under which they are stored and used. This International Standard provides recommendations on proper storage conditions and practices.

Vote begins 2008-11-24

Vote closes 2009-04-24

TC42/WG5/Task Group 2 will address ballot results and comments at its meeting in Washington, DC on May 11, 2009 at the Library of Congress

For more information, contact the I3A Standards Department.

Back to Top

Busy TC42/WG5 and Task Groups Meet in Vancouver, WA

ISO/TC42/WG5 - Physical properties and permanence of imaging materials, Task Group 2 and Task Group 3 met November 17-20, 2008 in Vancouver, WA at HP. Over 25 experts from 5 countries met to discuss a jam-packed agenda that addressed 23 of the 48 WG5 Projects. WG5 addresses preservation issues for both traditional silver halide and digital output images and imaging materials. With its 48 standards projects, WG5 is the most prolific Working Group in ISO/TC42 and continues its active schedule with biannual week-long meetings. Convener Dr. Peter Adelstein (Image Permanence Institute, USA) lauded experts for "…fostering a spirit of cooperation and moving forward to complete these important International Standards." In past years contentious issues surrounding digital output technology found projects in a state of gridlock. Adoption of strict internal procedures for document distribution and commenting has WG5 operating much more efficiently and without unnecessary delays.

Among the notable active items are:

ISO 18930 Outdoor Weathering of Reflection Prints

This standard describes test equipment and test procedures, for determining the color stability of photographic digital color hardcopy images when subjected to outdoor conditions. This standard does not specify limits of acceptability or failure criteria. Instead, it provides means for measuring image changes that take place during the aging of pictorial digital color hardcopy images and indicates the critical image-change parameters that should be reported. This document does not specify which of the several outdoor light stability tests is the most important; rather, the user of the standard shall determine which test – or tests – best simulates the intended display application.

Project Leader Bruce Klemann (Brady Corporation, USA) will prepare an new WD for consideration at the TG-3 meetings in May 2009.

ISO 18937 Test Methods for Light Stability of Color Photographs

This standard describes test equipment and procedures, for measuring the colour stability of consumer colour photographic reflection prints displayed in homes, apartments, offices, public buildings, retail stores, and other commercial locations when subjected to certain illuminants at specified temperatures and relative humidities.

The WG is conducting a series of round robin tests to determine stability. Co-Project Leaders Yoshi Shibahara (FUJIFILM, Japan) and Henry Wilhelm (WIR, USA) will prepare a new WD for Task Group 3 review. It is intended to issue an official ISO New Project Proposal for approval as a Committee Draft in mid 2009.

ISO 18940 Specification for Indoor Stability of Reflection Color Prints

This standard provides specifications for making consumer indoor life-expectancy (LE) estimates for digitally-printed hardcopy images and traditional analogue photographic colour print images when subjected to the various test procedures listed in clause 3. Display conditions found in museums, offices, and commercial environments are excluded from this standard. These consumer images may have been generated with dyes or pigments by several processes, including ink jet, chromogenic (silver-halide), thermal dye-diffusion transfer (“dye-sub”), dry and liquid toner electrophotography, and thermal dye transfer systems. The test methods delineated in clause 3 provide methodologies for measuring the image degradations caused by light, heat, humidity, and ozone. Accelerated test methods are prescribed and needed for the evaluation of light, heat, and ozone effects because the degradation of many modern colour print images by these agents is too slow to yield timely information about their long-term effects. These life-expectancy estimates can be used for the purpose of comparing the image permanence of different products.

Alex Kabalnov (HP, USA) was named new Project Leader. WG5 members recognized the efforts of Nils Miller (HP, USA) in preparing this project. A new WD is in preparation for review at the TG-3 May 2009 meeting.

ISO 18941 Test Method for Ozone Gas Fading of Color Prints

This International Standard describes the equipment, methods and procedures for generating a known ozone exposure, and the subsequent measurement and quantification of the amount of change produced within digitally-printed hardcopy images and traditional analogue photographic colour print images, due to that exposure.

Project Leader Adam Bush (Eastman Kodak, USA) to prepare a new WD for TG-3 review.

ISO 18946 Test Methods for Humidity Fastness of Color Reflection Prints

This International Standard describes test methods to evaluate reflection colour photographic prints with regard to changes in image appearance resulting from exposure to both low and high relative humidity.

The observed changes relate to colour, tone, and loss of sharpness caused by horizontal and vertical diffusion of colorants from exposure to elevated humidity levels. Other humidity related factors such as mold and mildew growth and physical damage such as curl, cockle, cracking, or delamination due to humidity cycling are not within the scope of this test methodology.

Project Leader Yoshi Shibahara (FUJIFILM, Japan) to prepare new WD for approval at the next TG-3 meeting.

ISO 18948 Photo Books (New Project)

This International Standard covers the requirements for photo books intended for long-term preservation. These books are typically produced on electrophotographic printers, but may also be produced with inkjet or traditional photographic printers. The same performance requirements shall apply, regardless of the printing system. This standard does not cover books printed on traditional offset presses.

This standard assumes that the photo book will be stored in typical home environments, which may or may not be climate controlled. For this reason, it includes requirements designed to limit the adverse effects of humidity and temperature that may be outside of typical recommended storage conditions.

Project Leader Mark Mizen (Creative Memories, USA) to prepare a revised WD for review at the next TG-2 meeting.

The next meetings of WG5 and its Task Groups will take place May 11-14, 2009 at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.

Back to Top

I3A Events at PMA

Camera Phone Image Quality Technical Forum

Wednesday, March 4th
Las Vegas Hilton
9:00am

Returning once again to the Spring PMA Trade show is the I3A Technical Forum showcasing a Live Consumer Panel! The Camera Phone Image Quality (CPIQ) Initiative will go out on a limb and conduct a LIVE demonstration of its subjective image quality test. Pass or Fail, it’s sure to be a hit!

Plan to be on hand to find out how this works, plus hear firsthand details about the technology behind the announced results from the CPIQ Initiative.

RSVP Online Now!

Back to top

12th Annual Spotlight Reception and Leadership Award Presentation

Wednesday, March 4th
Las Vegas Hilton
6:00 to 8:00 pm

Don’t miss this entertaining evening filled with great food, drink, and networking! Be sure to be on hand to find out who will be honored as the recipient of the prestigious I3A Leadership Award.

RSVP Online Now!

Back to top

I3A Community

Share Your Best Shots With I3A

The I3A community is stocked with great photographers and people who appreciate great photography. A new feature of the I3A Web site is a place for I3A members to show and share their favorite shots. Members are especially invited to submit photos taken at I3A events. Send your photos to editor@i3a.org.

Back to top

Member Resources

The MarketPlace is a service for I3A members. There you will find I3A's publications, including white papers, Initiative specifications and standards, most available free to members. You will also find special offers on products and services available only to I3A members.

New this month:

• Imports – First Nine Months 2008
• Exports – First Nine Months 2008

Access the MarketPlace at: http://members.i3a.org/members/marketplace/.

Back to top

I3A Job Board

The I3A Jobs Web site has seen a great deal of activity since its inclusion on the I3A Public Web site in October 2008. I3A Staff has received several inquiries from students seeking Internship opportunities in the imaging industry. Intern programs are a great way for Member Companies to recruit the best and brightest students to become a part of your team.

We are encouraging Member Companies to submit Intern Positions on the Jobs Web site. Posting is fast and easy. For more information contact Shannon Taylor.

Back to top

Imaging Technology Briefs

A full listing of imaging technology briefs can be found online.

It’s Official: Polaroid will stop manufacturing instant film at end of year
As announced back in February, Polaroid will stop producing instant film by the end of the year. According to a “Notification of Polaroid Instant Film Availability,” on the Polaroid.com site,”Due to marketplace conditions, Polaroid has discontinued almost all of its instant analog hardware products. Polaroid has also made the difficult decision to cease manufacturing of instant film products in 2008.

New International Standard Guides Proper Care of Optical Discs
With everything from family photos and videos to key documents in the workplace being stored on optical discs, the preservation of these media is crucial. A new standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization provides guidelines for the care and handling of digital optical discs to maximize their life span.

New ISO/IEC International Standard to Certify Software Engineering Professionals
In response to the increasing globalization of the computer software industry, the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission recently released a standard that seeks to increase the cross-border acceptance of certifications for software engineering professionals.

Back to top

Upcoming Standards Meetings

To arrange to attend any of these meetings, please register on the members’
Web site or contact the Standards Department at i3astds@i3a.org. Meetings without a named location are conference calls.

Back to top

Industry Events

As a service to its members, I3A provides a listing
of events affecting the imaging industry. A complete listing can be found online.

Back to top

We distribute our newsletter around the 15th day of each month with a content deadline the week before. Please send your news for consideration in our newsletter. To share your comments about this newsletter or to submit information, send a message to Editor@I3A.org.

Stay in touch with I3A:
Membership questions: i3amembership@i3a.org
Members-only Web site: http://members.i3a.org
Phone: 781-876-6223 or 914-285-4933
Fax: 914-285-4937

I3A (International Imaging Industry Association)
701 Westchester Avenue
Suite 317W
White Plains, NY 10604
http://www.i3a.org

To leave this list, click here.

© 2008 International Imaging Industry Association. All rights reserved.