TS EN ISO 9706

TS EN ISO 9706 is the standard for paper intended for documents when long-term permanence is the technical concern. It sets out requirements for permanent paper and applies to unprinted papers only, while excluding boards. In practical terms, it provides a basis for selecting paper whose properties are expected to remain suitable for documents that need to be preserved over time.

What permanence means in paper terms

In general technical use, permanence refers to a paper’s ability to retain its physical and chemical integrity over time. For records, books, and archival-like materials, the key issue is whether the paper resists deterioration as it ages. Permanence is influenced not only by the paper itself but also by the environment in which it is kept, including humidity, heat, light, pollutants, and water exposure.

Boundaries of this document

• It specifies requirements for paper intended for documents.
• It applies to unprinted paper.
• It does not apply to boards.
• It is not intended to judge permanence under hostile storage conditions such as high humidity, excessive heat, radiation, atmospheric pollutants, or the influence of water.
• The terms paper and board are understood with reference to ISO 4046-3.

A useful distinction in this subject area is between ordinary paper performance and permanence for long-term document retention. A sheet can be adequate for everyday printing yet still be unsuitable for records that must remain legible and stable for many years. This standard addresses that permanence-focused material category, while related International Standards cover adjacent paper permanence and durability topics.

For users working with document production, archives, publishing, or records management, the value of TS EN ISO 9706 lies in defining a recognized technical target for durable paper selection. It helps separate short-life graphic paper from paper chosen for sustained documentary use.