Overview
ISO 21110:2019 (ISO 21110:2019) - Information and documentation - Emergency preparedness and response - provides a structured, non-prescriptive framework for emergency planning, response and recovery specifically for archives, libraries and museums. The standard focuses on protecting collections and managing the consequences and wider impacts of disruptive events (it does not address causes). It outlines a continuous cycle to develop, exercise, validate and review emergency plans and highlights indicators of good practice for responders and stakeholders.
Key topics and technical requirements
The standard organizes practical guidance around clear technical themes:
- Planning process - establishing emergency committees, documented programmes and objectives, and presenting a plan.
- Risk identification & assessment - hazards, building and collections vulnerability, impact assessment, risk analysis and security strategy.
- Emergency levels & phases - defining severity levels and response phases to support decision-making.
- Plan content & alignment - integrating with corporate/business continuity and local emergency services; avoiding duplication with other plans.
- Validation, maintenance & distribution - exercising, testing, updating and publishing plans to maintain readiness.
- Resources & logistics - task identification, priorities for response and recovery, legal/financial frameworks, supplies, facilities and documentation templates.
- Organisation & responsibilities - roles, command levels, coordination, working with contractors and volunteers.
- Training & exercises - competence development, drills, debrief and continual improvement.
- Response & recovery principles - assessment, operations planning, mitigation, funding and ending operations.
- Performance indicators - measures and methodology to evaluate preparedness and response effectiveness.
- Informative annexes - stakeholder roles, plan templates, supply lists, relocation roles, and typical task lists (e.g., water leakage).
Practical applications - who should use this standard
SIST ISO 21110 is aimed at institutions and professionals responsible for cultural heritage collections and their continuity:
- Collection managers, archivists, conservators and librarians
- Museum directors and curators
- Facilities and security managers of heritage sites
- Emergency planners, business continuity officers and risk managers working with cultural institutions
- Voluntary sector coordinators and contractors involved in salvage and recovery
Typical uses:
- Developing or updating an emergency preparedness and response plan for collections
- Conducting vulnerability and risk assessments for buildings and holdings
- Designing training programmes, exercises and post-incident reviews
- Coordinating recovery operations, resource planning and supply procurement
- Demonstrating readiness through performance indicators and documented validation
Related standards (applicable references)
- ISO 22300:2018 (business continuity terminology and concepts)
- ISO/IEC 27031:2011 (business continuity guidance for ICT - referenced for business continuity plan definitions)
- EN 15898:2011 (definitions related to emergency preparedness for cultural heritage)
Keywords: ISO 21110:2019, ISO 21110, emergency preparedness and response, archives, libraries, museums, collection protection, disaster recovery, risk assessment, emergency plan, business continuity.
