Standards are consensus based. The more organizations that participate and contribute to standards development, the better the results. No one person or or even one company knows everything. It is the combination of everyone’s knowledge that allows the ISO to make effective recommendations about how to best preserve photos.
Consequently, when I recently posted a message on Facebook that I was sad that Creative Memories was withdrawing from standards development, it was not an indictment of Creative Memories nor was it a comment about the quality of their products. I am no longer with Creative Memories, and any comment about the quality of Creative Memories products would clearly be inappropriate. Creative Memories has many highly qualified employees who, I am sure, will do their best to maintain product quality.
I can, however, comment as Chair of the ISO committee responsible for standards related to photographic storage and physical properties, and in that role, I am disappointed that Creative Memories has chosen to no longer participate in standards development.
Creative Memories has benefited from the overall concern with image permanence and has a wealth of knowledge that would benefit society’s effort to preserve its photographic legacy. They are not manufacturers of imaging materials but yet have the ability to test and validate other manufacturers’ product claims. This capability has been invaluable in attempting to sort through all the conflicting product information on product performance that has come with the transition from traditional film-based photography to digital imaging.
Creative Memories is not the only company that has chosen not to participate; however they will be missed.
In case you were wondering, I am continuing as Chair, representing HID Global. I will continue to post information on ISO standards, as they evolve. I encourage you to continue to follow this blog and if you haven’t already done so, to enter your email address in the “Email Subscription” box in the upper right-hand corner of this blog.
All About Images Blog 
We miss you as well… Showcase just isn’t the same without your input AND your infamous quizzes!! Just for the record, we wondered who will remain the watchdog over the products that we are selling!! I am glad that I found your blog so I can continue to benefit from your great knowledge and wisdom. Thanks!
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