Overview
ISO/IEC 24712:2007/Amd 1:2026 is an amendment to the widely recognized international standard for colour test pages used in the measurement of office equipment consumable yield. Developed by ISO and IEC Joint Technical Committee 1, Subcommittee 28 (ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 28), this amendment ensures continued harmonization and precision in testing methodologies for printers and multifunction devices.
By updating the specifications for colour test page preparation and referencing the latest electronic test files, this standard ensures consistent, reliable, and comparable measurement of consumable yields (such as ink and toner cartridges) across devices and manufacturers. ISO/IEC 24712 and its amendment are essential for organizations, laboratories, manufacturers, and regulatory authorities involved in testing, benchmarking, and reporting the performance of office equipment.
Key Topics
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Test Page Design
The standard defines the required layout, dimensions (209 mm x 279 mm), and unique font naming for colour test pages. This minimizes font substitution issues and ensures consistent output across devices, supporting both A4 and letter paper formats.
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Printing Protocols
For yield measurements to be valid:
- Only PDF versions of the official documents must be used.
- All five test pages must be printed as a single suite in one job.
- Tests require the most recent official electronic test file, referenced by an updated ISO-hosted URL.
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Equipment and Measurement Accuracy
- The distance between specific marks on the test pages must adhere to precise tolerances (170 mm ± 1% on the short edge; 250 mm ± 1% on the long edge) to verify image stability and prevent erroneous yield calculations due to paper feed image stretch.
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Colourant Distribution
- The suite of test pages is designed to approximate equal usage of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK) colourants, although actual consumption may vary based on device processing.
Applications
ISO/IEC 24712:2007/Amd 1:2026 is primarily utilized by:
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Printer and MFP Manufacturers
- Standardizes consumable yield measurement, enabling fair comparison of ink and toner cartridge performance.
- Assists in product development and quality assurance processes.
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Independent Test Labs & Certification Bodies
- Supports objective, repeatable testing methodologies, essential for yield certification and compliance with global reporting requirements.
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Enterprises & End Users
- Provides verifiable data on printer cartridge or toner yield, aiding procurement, budgeting, and total cost of ownership assessments.
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Regulatory and Consumer Protection Authorities
- Facilitates transparent and comparable information for consumer rights and fair marketing claims.
Implementing this amendment helps ensure interoperability and transparency in the office equipment market by providing a precise, up-to-date foundation for yield measurement.
Related Standards
This amendment is most effective when used in conjunction with the following standards:
For the latest official electronic test files and additional information, visit the ISO standards portal at iso.org.
By adhering to ISO/IEC 24712:2007/Amd 1:2026, organizations can achieve increased accuracy, reliability, and global consistency in printer consumable yield assessment.
