ISO/FDIS 11108

FINAL DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/TC 46/SC 10
Information and documentation —
Secretariat: SIS
Archival paper — Requirements for
Voting begins on:
permanence and durability
2025-03-12
Information et documentation — Papier pour documents
Voting terminates on:
d'archives — Prescriptions pour la permanence et la durabilité
2025-05-07
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT,
WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION OF ANY
RELEVANT PATENT RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE
AND TO PROVIDE SUPPOR TING DOCUMENTATION.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNO­
LOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES, DRAFT
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE
TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL
TO BECOME STAN DARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE
MADE IN NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
Reference number
FINAL DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/TC 46/SC 10
Information and documentation —
Secretariat: SIS
Archival paper — Requirements for
Voting begins on:
permanence and durability
Information et documentation — Papier pour documents
Voting terminates on:
d'archives — Prescriptions pour la permanence et la durabilité
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT,
WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION OF ANY
RELEVANT PATENT RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE
AND TO PROVIDE SUPPOR TING DOCUMENTATION.
© ISO 2025
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNO­
LOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES, DRAFT
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
TO BECOME STAN DARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE
MADE IN NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland Reference number
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Required characteristics . 2
4.1 General .2
4.2 Fibre composition .2
4.3 Grammage . .2
4.4 Tearing resistance .2
4.5 Folding endurance .3
4.6 pH value of aqueous extract .3
4.7 Alkali reserve.3
4.8 Resistance to oxidation .3
5 Report . 3
Annex A (normative) Relationship between archival paper and permanent paper as defined in
ISO 9706 . 4
Annex B (informative) Relationship between paper permanence (ISO 9706), archival paper
permanence and durability (ISO 11108), and paper stability for general graphic
applications (ISO 20494) . 5
Bibliography . 7

iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 46, Information and documentation,
Subcommittee SC 10, Requirements for document storage and conditions for preservation.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 11108:1996), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— an introduction and a new Annex B have been added to emphasize the relationship and differences
between existing standards on permanence, durability and stability of papers;
— the normative references have been updated;
— the term "document" has been modified to be replaced with an existing definition in the terminology
database of ISO.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
Introduction
This document intends to define a permanent and durable paper that is most suitable for indefinite storage,
e.g. in archives, libraries, and museums, and that will show no or only slight changes in optical and mechanical
properties when stored and handled for a long period. Such papers can be used for books as well as for files,
documents and other records that are to be stored and used permanently for legal, cultural policy or other
reasons. For this purpose, this document provides a method for specifying paper, which, according to the
present state of knowledge, has a high degree of permanence and durability.
As research indicates that the deterioration of paper is due to the presence of cellulose-degrading compounds
in the paper furnish and materials incorporated in the paper during manufacture, papers eligible for
permanent use are required to be free of any type of acid sizing or other acid-producing substances, and
of oxidizable matter that causes undesirable discolouration, e.g. lignin or recycled material of uncertain
composition.
To ensure durability over time, well-defined fibre sources are important. This document requires a specified
fibre composition in order to ascertain a low degree of oxidizable or acid-producing substances and to ensure
durable strength. In addition, strength is tested through both tearing resistance and folding endurance.
This document is based on a small number of quantitative tests for which limiting values have been specified.
Paper classified in accordance with this document shall show measurement results within the specified
limits for all prescribed tests.
There are two other International Standards, apart from this document, regarding different applications
of paper:
— ISO 9706, which describes permanent paper with the same permanence requirements as for this
document but not including durability (ability to withstand the effects of wear and tear during use).
— ISO 20494, which describes paper for general graphic applications, not intended for permanent storage,
including newspapers, magazines, catalogues, books, office printouts and copies where changes in
optical properties over time can be tolerated.
This document and ISO 9706 differ from ISO 20494; they are not comparable either in approach or in
method. In ISO 20494, the decrease in mechanical-physical strength that a paper suffers when subjected to
moist heat treatment for up to 12 days is the basis for defining service life.
Conversely, this document and ISO 9706 are based on the fact that acid-catalysed hydrolysis is the major
cause of the degradation of cellulose, the substance that provides strength to paper, and that this acid
hydrolysis is strongly inhibited if an alkaline buffer and no or little acid-forming substances are present in
the paper. Furthermore, this document and ISO 9706 define a resistance to oxidation, which requires the
paper to have a Kappa number of less than 5, corresponding to about 10 g of lignin per kg of paper. This
document and ISO 9706 therefore specify a paper that is expected to remain substantially unchanged over
time in long-term storage.
Both ISO 9706 and this document evaluate the permanence properties of the paper. For a document to be
permanent, however, it must be noted that both a permanent paper substrate and a permanent recording
method (i.e. writing, printing or copying) must be used in combination. Permanence and durability of
recording materials are tested according to ISO 11798.
This document may be used as a stand-alone specification. It may also be incorporated as a component in
other specifications used in trade or as national or international standards for more specific purposes.

v
FINAL DRAFT International Standard ISO/FDIS 11108:2025(en)
Information and documentation — Archival paper —
Requirements for permanence and durability
1 Scope
This document specifies the requirements for archival paper. It is applicable to unprinted papers intended
for documents and publications required for permanent retention and frequent use. For these documents
and publications, paper of high permanence and high durability is required.
NOTE 1 Archival paper is primarily required for documents and publications intended to be kept permanently
because of their high historical, legal or other significant value. Archival paper is for special purposes, not for common
use. The use of the term “archival paper” does not imply that all papers kept in archives are “archival papers”.
NOTE 2 For relationships between International Standards on paper permanence (ISO 9706), on archival paper
permanence and durability (ISO 11108), and on paper stability for general graphic applications (
...

ISO/TC 46/SC 10
Secretariat: SIS
Date: 2024-12-062025-02-26
Information and documentation — Archival paper — Requirements
for permanence and durability
Information et documentation — Papier pour documents d’archives –d'archives — Prescriptions pour la
permanence et la durabilité
FDIS stage
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication
may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO
at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: + 41 22 749 01 11
EmailE-mail: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.orgwww.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents
Foreword . iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Required characteristics . 2
5 Report . 3
Annex A (normative) Relationship between archival paper and permanent paper as defined in
ISO 9706 . 5
Annex B (informative) Relationship between paper permanence (ISO 9706), archival paper
permanence and durability (ISO 11108), and paper stability for general graphic
applications (ISO 20494) . 6
Bibliography . 9

Foreword . iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Required characteristics . 2
4.1 General. 2
4.2 Fibre composition . 2
4.3 Grammage . 2
4.4 Tearing resistance . 2
4.5 Folding endurance . 3
4.6 pH value of aqueous extract . 3
4.7 Alkali reserve . 3
4.8 Resistance to oxidation . 3
5 Report . 3
Annex A (informative) Relationship between archival paper and permanent paper as defined in
ISO 9706 . 4
Annex B (informative) Relationship between paper permanence (ISO 9706), archival paper
permanence and durability (ISO 11108), and paper stability for general graphic
applications (ISO 20494) . 5
Bibliography . 7
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of
ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights
in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a) patent(s)
which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not
represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents.www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such
patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 46, Information and documentation,
Subcommittee SC 10, Requirements for document storage and conditions for preservation.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 11108:1996), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— — an introduction and a new Annex BAnnex B have been added to emphasize the relationship and
differences between existing standards on permanence, durability and stability of papers.;
— — the normative references hashave been updated.;
— — the term "document" has been modified to be replaced with an existing definition in the terminology
database of ISO.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
Introduction
The intention of ISO 11108 isThis document intends to define a permanent and durable paper that is most
suitable for indefinite storage, e.g. in archives, libraries, and museums, and that will show no or only slight
changes in optical and mechanical properties when stored and handled for a long period. Such papers can be
used for books as well as for files, documents and other records that are to be stored and used permanently
for legal, cultural policy or other reasons. For this purpose, this document provides a method for specifying
paper, which, according to the present state of knowledge, has a high degree of permanence and durability.
As research indicates that the deterioration of paper is due to the presence of cellulose-degrading compounds
in the paper furnish and materials incorporated in the paper during manufacture, papers eligible for
permanent use are required to be free of any type of acid sizing or other acid-producing substances, and of
oxidizable matter that causes undesirable discolouration, e.g. lignin or recycled material of uncertain
composition.
To ensure durability over time, well-defined fibre sources are important. This document requires a specified
fibre composition in order to ascertain a low degree of oxidizable or acid-producing substances and to ensure
durable strength. In addition, strength is tested through both tearing resistance and folding endurance.
This document is based on a small number of quantitative tests for which limiting values have been specified.
Paper classified in accordance with this document shall show measurement results within the specified limits
for all prescribed tests.
There are two other International Standards, apart from this document, regarding different applications of
paper:
— — ISO 9706, which describes permanent paper with the same permanence requirements as for this
document but not including durability (ability to withstand the effects of wear and tear during use).
— — ISO 20494, which describes paper for general graphic applications, not intended for permanent
storage, including newspapers, magazines, catalogues, books, office printouts and copies where changes
in optical properties over time can be tolerated.
This document and ISO 9706 differ from ISO 20494; they are not comparable either in approach or in method.
In ISO 20494, the decrease in mechanical-physical strength that a paper suffers when subjected to moist heat
treatment for up to 12 days is the basis for defining service life.
Conversely, this document and ISO 9706 are based on the fact that acid-catalysed hydrolysis is the major cause
of the degradation of cellulose, the substance that provides strength to paper, and that this acid hydrolysis is
strongly inhibited if an alkaline buffer and no or little acid-forming substances are present in the paper.
Furthermore, ISO 11108this document and ISO 9706 define a resistance to oxidation, which requires the paper
to have a Kappa number of less than 5, corresponding to about 10 g of lignin per kg of paper. ISO 11108This
document and ISO 9706 therefore specify a paper that is expected to remain substantially unchanged over
time in long-term storage.
Both ISO 9706 and ISO 11108 this document evaluate the permanence properties of the paper. For a document
to be permanent, however, it shallmust be noted that both a permanent paper substrate and a permanent
recording method (i.e. writing, printing or copying) must be used in combination. Permanence and durability
of recording materials are tested according to ISO 11798.
This document may be used as a stand-alone specification. It may also be incorporated as a component in
other specifications used in trade or as national or international standards for more specific purposes.
v
Final Draft International Standard ISO/FDIS 11108:2024(en)

Information and documentation — Archival paper — Requirements
for permanence and durability
1 Scope
This document specifies the requirements for archival paper. It is applicable to unprinted papers intended for
documents and publications required for permanent retention and frequent use. For these documents and
publications, paper of high permanence and high durability is required.
NOTE 1 Archival paper is primarily required for documents and publications intended to be kept permanently
because of their high historical, legal or other significant value. Archival paper is for special purposes, not for common
use. The use of the term “archival paper” does not imply that all papers kept in archives are “archival papers”.
NOTE 2 For relationships between International Standards on paper permanence (ISO 9706), on archival paper
permanence and durability (ISO 11108), and on paper stability for general graphic applications (ISO 20494), refer to
Annex B.Annex B.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 1
...