About ISO/TC 42 Photography Standards
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a network of national standards bodies from 164 countries, which develops voluntary, consensus-based, market relevant international standards. ISO/TC 42 Photography is responsible for standards essential to current and future applications of photography, including:
- methods for measuring, testing, rating, packaging, labeling, specifying and classifying the dimensions, physical properties and performance characteristics of media, materials and devices used in chemical and electronic still imaging;
- specifications and recommendations of logical and physical characteristics, practices, interfaces formats and metadata for still imaging capture, processing, and output systems; and
- methods, measurements, specifications, and recommended practices for storage, permanence, integrity and security of imaging media and materials, and imaging materials disposition.
ISO/TC 42 Working Groups
ISO standards are developed by the working group (WG) or joint working group (JWG) \responsible for the specific technical area. ISO/TC 42 working groups typically meet several times per year. Plenary meetings of ISO/TC 42 are held every two years.
For ISO/TC 42, WG's include:
In addition, ISO/TC 42 participates in numerous joint working groups with other ISO and IEC technical committees:
- WG8 Photographic film and paper dimensions
- JWG20 Digital camera color characterization
- WG23 Extended color encoding
- JWG26 Imaging system capability qualification for archival recording and approval (Digitizing Cultural Heritage Materials)
- JWG 27 Image permanence & durability test methods and specifications for digital prints in commercial applications
Fourteen member countries (P-members) participate in ISO/TC 42:
Australia (SA), Belgium (NBN), China (SAC), Denmark (DS), Finland (SFS), France (AFNOR), Germany (DIN), Japan (JISC), Netherlands (NEN), Portugal (IPQ), Russian Federation (GOST R), Switzerland (SNV), United Kingdom (BSI), and United States (ANSI).
Experts within each member country work according to ISO standards development rules to develop country positions and contributions, including initiating new standards projects. Each P-member country has a one vote on each ISO standards ballot.
In addition to the participating member countries, there area eighteen observer countries (O-members) with an official interest in ISO/TC 42:
Austria (ASI), Cuba (NC), Czech Republic (UNMZ), India (BIS), Indonesia (BSN), Islamic Republic of Iran (ISIRI), Israel (SII), Italy (UNI), Korea, Republic of (KATS), Mongolia (MASM), Pakistan (PSQCA), Poland (PKN), Romania (ASRO), Serbia (ISS), Slovenia (SIST), Spain (AENOR), Ukraine (DSSN), and Tunisia (INNORPI).

