A Practical Guide to Essential Image Technology Standards for Modern Businesses

In today’s rapidly evolving digital and imaging landscape, adopting up-to-date image technology standards is more than a recommendation—it’s a necessity. Modern organizations depend on precise image quality, reliable documentation, safe long-term preservation, and efficient output of digital and physical assets. With technology driving business at unprecedented speeds, the right standards not only help companies stay ahead but also ensure compliance, data integrity, and robust operational workflows. In this guide, we explore four cornerstone standards in image technology, providing a clear overview and actionable guidance for leaders and teams across industries.

Overview / Introduction

Image technology impacts industries as varied as manufacturing, research, healthcare, document management, art, and information technology. As imaging solutions expand their roles in automation, AI, machine learning, and digital transformation, the demand for rigorous, harmonized guidelines has soared. Standards in optics, imaging materials, optical glass, and digital printing are essential for:

• Guaranteeing consistent quality and interoperability
• De-risking investments in new imaging systems
• Protecting data and physical assets
• Facilitating scaling, productivity, and global market access

This article presents a clear, jargon-free guide to four leading international standards from ISO and ISO/IEC, highlighting what each covers, who benefits, and why compliance is crucial for future-ready organizations.

You will learn:

• What each standard covers
• Key requirements and business impact
• Compliance and practical implementation tips
• Resources for ongoing success

Detailed Standards Coverage

ISO 10110-11:2025 – Non-toleranced Data for Optical Drawings

Optics and photonics – Preparation of drawings for optical elements and systems – Part 11: Non-toleranced data

Scope and Purpose: This standard specifies the implicit (default) tolerances for optical element and system drawings within the ISO 10110 series. These tolerances are used when specific values are not stated, streamlining communication in design and manufacturing.

Key Requirements and Specifications:

• Default tolerances for forms, homogeneity, striae, edge chips, surface texture, and coatings
• Clarification of tolerances for large optics, coatings, and angular measurements
• Application rules to ensure consistency and reduce ambiguity in technical documentation
• Removal or update of legacy categories to enhance clarity

Who Should Comply:

• Optical designers and engineers
• Manufacturers of lenses, mirrors, prisms, and other optical components
• Companies integrating optical systems into products (e.g., industrial, consumer electronics, automotive, imaging labs)

Practical Implications: Implementing this standard helps prevent misunderstandings in specifications, ensures quality across international supply chains, and reduces costly rework. By defining default values, even missed tolerances on drawings have globally recognized reference points.

Noteworthy Features:

• Updated default tolerances reflecting current industry practices
• Explicit definition for uncoated optics
• Improved guidance for large-scale or specialized optics

Access the full standard:View ISO 10110-11:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 18916:2025 – Photographic Activity Test for Enclosure Materials

Imaging materials – Photographic activity test for enclosure materials – Processed silver-gelatin and dye-gelatin prints

Scope and Purpose: ISO 18916:2025 defines a standardized photographic activity test (PAT) that assesses if storage, display, or transport enclosures (paper, plastics, adhesives, etc.) may chemically interact with photographic materials and images—especially silver-gelatin and dye-gelatin prints.

Key Requirements and Specifications:

• Test method for identifying chemical interactions between enclosure materials and silver/dye-gelatin photos
• Requirements for testing by batch, including different colors and formulations
• Detailed criteria covering image interaction, staining, and mottling
• Guidance for application to both short-term and archival storage
• Testing of all enclosure components (adhesives, inks, tapes, etc.)

Who Should Comply:

• Museum and archival institutions
• Photographic labs and service providers
• Camera and film manufacturers
• Businesses handling photographic or valuable imaging assets (libraries, print shops, collectors)

Practical Implications: Compliance assures the long-term safety of photographic assets, reducing the risk of irreversible chemical damage. This is essential for collections, archives, and any operation where photographic longevity is paramount.

Key highlights:

• Predicts susceptibility of storage materials to damaging images
• Applies to processed silver and dye-based gelatin photos
• Covers all components—enclosures, papers, plastics, adhesives, inks

Access the full standard:View ISO 18916:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 21575:2026 – Water Resistance Testing of Optical Glass Powder

Raw optical glass — Powder test method for the water resistance of optical glass — Test method and classification

Scope and Purpose: This standard details the powder method for determining the water resistance of raw optical glass, including test preparation, procedural details, and classification criteria.

Key Requirements and Specifications:

• Procedures for preparing glass powder specimens
• Step-by-step sequence for subjecting samples to water
• Criteria for mass loss measurement and data recording
• Classification and reporting guidance for standardization

Who Should Comply:

• Manufacturers and suppliers of optical glass
• Quality assurance labs for optics
• Research institutions developing new optical materials
• Organizations in optics-intensive industries: lasers, microscopy, sensors, imaging systems

Practical Implications: Adherence ensures that glass components meet performance and durability requirements, crucial for safety, reliability, and longevity in high-precision optical assemblies—especially in demanding or harsh environments.

Key highlights:

• Clear method for classifying optical glass by water resistance
• Enables cross-vendor quality benchmarks
• Updated terminology and improved sample preparation steps

Access the full standard:View ISO 21575:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO/IEC 17629:2025 – Measuring First Print Out Time for Digital Printing Devices

Information technology – Office equipment – Method for measuring first print out time for digital printing devices

Scope and Purpose: This standard defines a uniform procedure for measuring the First Print Out Time (FPOT) of digital printers and multifunction devices across different readiness states (ready, sleep, off). The FPOT is critical for evaluating productivity, user experience, and suitability for fast-paced or high-demand environments.

Key Requirements and Specifications:

• Test setup and environmental requirements
• Stepwise procedure for measuring FPOT in ready, sleep, and off states
• Standardized test charts and report formats
• Guidelines for driver and platform settings to ensure repeatable results

Who Should Comply:

• Printer manufacturers and R&D teams
• IT purchasing managers
• Corporate IT departments
• Print fleet management companies and document solutions providers

Practical Implications: Following this standard enables apples-to-apples comparisons of devices, helping organizations select printers that align with productivity and workflow needs. It also supports manufacturers in certifying product claims and identifying areas for device optimization.

Key highlights:

• Covers both B&W and color devices, any marking technology
• Enables meaningful productivity comparisons
• Addresses environmental and system variable controls for robust benchmarking

Access the full standard:View ISO/IEC 17629:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Why These Standards Matter for Modern Businesses

With digital transformation accelerating across sectors, image technology standards are the backbone of quality assurance, security, productivity, and global consistency. They provide:

• Consistency and Interoperability: Clear specifications reduce ambiguity, allowing components and systems from multiple vendors to work together without costly troubleshooting.
• Protection of Assets: For photographic archives, scientific research, and valuable collections, standards mitigate risks of damage, loss, or degradation.
• Data Integrity and Reporting: Uniform reporting and testing methods enable reliable benchmarking, certification, and auditing.
• Regulatory and Contractual Compliance: Many public sector and industry contracts require standards compliance, especially in healthcare, defense, and regulated industries.
• Enhanced Security & Risk Mitigation: Clarifying technical expectations and quality benchmarks ultimately supports secure handling and storage, safeguards intellectual property, and prepares organizations for scaling.

Risks of Non-Compliance:

• Damaged or lost imagery/data
• Increased warranty claims and rework
• Poor user experiences or failed audits
• Lost opportunities due to inability to meet contractual specifications

Adhering to these standards ensures business continuity, reputation, and long-term value for both digital and physical imaging assets.

Implementation Guidance

Best Practices for Adopting Image Technology Standards:

1. Gap Analysis:

   • Assess current processes and documentation against each standard
   • Identify missing or non-compliant steps

2. Training and Awareness:

   • Educate relevant staff on standard requirements
   • Use standards as baseline for training curriculums

3. Process Integration:

   • Embed standards-based steps in design, procurement, quality control, and asset management workflows
   • Automate testing and reporting whenever possible

4. Supplier and Vendor Management:

   • Specify standards compliance in RFQs, contracts, and procurement policies
   • Request certification or test reports as part of onboarding

5. Continuous Review:

   • Stay updated with standard revisions (e.g., new ISO editions)
   • Regularly audit compliance
   • Collaborate with industry peers and participate in standards committees where feasible

Practical Tips:

• Make use of standards comparison sheets to brief stakeholders on the exact requirements
• Work with vendors that demonstrate documented compliance
• For image-dependent business lines, integrate PAT testing (ISO 18916) into routine asset handling and preservation processes

Resources:

• iTeh Standards platform for up-to-date documents, guidance, and support
• ISO and IEC technical committees for deep-dive regulatory discussions
• Industry forums and professional societies for shared best practices

Conclusion / Next Steps

Embracing the latest image technology standards is essential for organizations seeking to ensure quality, reliability, and productivity in all imaging-related operations. From drawing tolerances in optics to the preservation of photographic heritage and assessing device productivity, these standards provide the foundation for innovation and trust.

Key Takeaways:

• Standardization leads to improved scalability, reduced errors, and lower risks
• Proper implementation protects investments and enhances organizational reputation
• Staying current with standards is crucial for competitiveness and regulatory alignment

Recommendations:

1. Review the standards most aligned with your industry’s needs
2. Build compliance into your strategic initiatives
3. Train your team and engage with standards resources for ongoing success

Explore these and other vital standards on the iTeh Standards platform to keep your organization future-ready, efficient, and secure—as you scale, innovate, and lead in a technology-driven world.