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IEC 13673-02: Print Quality Measurement Methods for Office Equipment — Scope, Requirements, and Compliance
A comprehensive overview of the international standard specifying test methods for evaluating print quality attributes in color and monochrome printers
Scope and Purpose
IEC 13673-02 (CAN/CSA-ISO/IEC 13673-02) is an international standard jointly developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It defines standardized measurement methods for assessing print quality attributes of office equipment, including colour and monochrome printers, multifunction devices, and digital presses that use electrophotographic, inkjet, or similar technologies. The standard is primarily intended to ensure that specification sheets and marketing claims are based on reproducible, objective test procedures, thereby enabling fair comparison between products.
The standard is part of the IEC 13673 series, which covers minimum information to be included in specification sheets for printers (Part 1) and the measurement methods for print quality (Part 2). IEC 13673-02 specifically addresses the latter, focusing on critical quality parameters such as resolution, colour accuracy, graininess, line quality, and uniformity. By providing a unified test methodology, the standard helps manufacturers, test laboratories, and consumers obtain consistent and meaningful print quality data.
Audience: This standard is essential for printer manufacturers, quality assurance engineers, procurement specialists, and certification bodies involved in the evaluation of office printing equipment.
Technical Requirements and Measurement Methods
IEC 13673-02 prescribes detailed test setups, measurement conditions, and evaluation metrics for eight primary print quality attributes. Each attribute is measured using standardized test patterns and under controlled environmental conditions (temperature 23 ± 2 °C, relative humidity 50 ± 10 %). The table below summarizes the key attributes and their corresponding test methods.
| Attribute | Definition | Test Pattern / Method | Key Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Ability to resolve fine details | Star target or converging line pattern; visual or automated evaluation | Line pairs per millimetre (lp/mm) |
| Line Quality | Edge sharpness and uniformity of printed lines | Set of straight lines at various orientations; image analysis | Edge roughness (µm) and line width deviation |
| Graininess | Perceived non‑uniformity in solid areas | Solid patches of cyan, magenta, yellow, black; visual correlation or micro‑density measurements | Graininess index (G) according to ISO 13660 |
| Colour Gamut | Range of reproducible colours | Printed colour chart (e.g., 200–500 patches); spectrophotometric measurement under D50 illuminant | Volume in CIELAB (∆E*ab), coverage of sRGB or Adobe RGB |
| Colour Accuracy | Deviation from target colour values | Reference colour patches with known CIELAB targets; measurement with spectrophotometer | Mean ∆E*ab and maximum ∆E*ab |
| Uniformity | Consistency of colour and density across a printed page | Full‑page solid colour; multiple point measurements | ∆E*ab variation across page (max – min) |
| Gloss Uniformity | Variation in surface gloss on printed areas | Glossmeter at 60° geometry; measurement over large solid area | Standard deviation of gloss units |
| Mottle | Low‑frequency density variation in solid areas | Large solid patches; micro‑density scanning with frequency analysis | Mottle index per ISO 19751 |
Measurement Conditions and Substrates
All tests must be conducted with the printer set to its default or “recommended” mode as intended for the target paper type. The standard specifies three reference substrates: plain office paper (80 g/m², ISO brightness ≥ 92 %), coated glossy paper (120–160 g/m²), and transparency film. Each substrate must be conditioned for at least 24 hours in the test environment before printing.
Critical Note: Results obtained under non‑standard conditions (e.g., different ambient temperature, humidity, or paper type) are not compliant with IEC 13673-02 unless explicitly reported with an annotation describing the deviation.
Evaluation and Reporting
For each attribute, the manufacturer or testing laboratory must provide the measurement value along with the expanded measurement uncertainty (k = 2). The standard mandates that at least five sample sheets be evaluated per attribute, with the mean and standard deviation reported. Where attributeless values are not measurable (e.g., graininess index for very high‑quality prints), a statement of “not applicable” is permitted but must be justified.
Implementation Highlights
Organizations adopting IEC 13673-02 should consider the following key implementation aspects:
- Test Pattern Suite: The standard does not provide proprietary patterns; rather it describes the required geometric and colourimetric properties. Users may generate compliant patterns using open‑source or commercial test chart libraries, provided the patterns meet the spatial resolution and colour range defined in the annexes.
- Instrumentation: Measurements require a spectrophotometer (d/8 geometry, 2° observer, D50 illuminant) for colour and a micro‑density scanner (at least 2000 dpi sampling) for graininess and mottle analyses. Gloss measurements require a 60° glossmeter accurate to ±1 gloss unit.
- Software Automation: Many laboratories employ dedicated image analysis software that implements the algorithms referenced by the standard (e.g., ISO 13660 for graininess, ISO 19751 for mottle). Integration of these tools into the test workflow reduces operator variability.
- Printer Calibration: The printer must be calibrated and maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Any a priori colour management (e.g., ICC profiles) must be deactivated or reported as part of the test setup.
Best Practice: When implementing IEC 13673‑02 for product claims, it is recommended to partner with an accredited testing laboratory (e.g., IECEE CB scheme) to ensure impartial and reproducible results. Internal testing can serve for development, but certification requires third‑party oversight.
Compliance and Certification Notes
Compliance with IEC 13673‑02 is declared by the manufacturer for specification sheets that cite the standard. To ensure credibility, many markets require independent verification. The following points are essential for compliance:
- Test Report: A full test report must include: printer model and firmware version, list of tested attributes, reference substrate details, environmental conditions, measurement instruments and calibration status, and all raw measurement data (or summary statistics with uncertainty).
- Marking and Claims: If a product is marketed as “compliant with IEC 13673‑02,” the specification sheet must clearly indicate the attribute values and the test mode used. Abbreviated claims such as “high‑resolution” without numeric data are not allowed.
- Periodic Re‑testing: Changes in printer firmware, ink/toner formulation, or paper stock may affect print quality. The standard recommends re‑testing when any consumable or hardware change is introduced, or at least every 12 months.
- Regional Adoptions: As of 2026, IEC 13673‑02 has been adopted as a national standard in over 40 countries, including Canada (CAN/CSA‑ISO/IEC 13673‑02), the European Union (EN 13673‑02), Japan (JIS X 13673‑02), and China (GB/T 13673‑02). Manufacturers exporting to these markets should verify that their test procedures align with the local adoption (minor deviations may exist in annexes).
Important: Misleading claims based on non‑compliant test methods can lead to regulatory sanctions under unfair competition laws. The standard’s test conditions (e.g., default print mode) may not reflect the highest quality mode; specifying the mode used is mandatory to avoid consumer confusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does IEC 13673‑02 replace Part 1 of the series?
A: No. IEC 13673‑01 (Part 1) defines the minimum content of printer specification sheets, while Part 2 provides the measurement methods for the print quality attributes listed in those sheets. Both parts are used together for complete product disclosure.
A: No. IEC 13673‑01 (Part 1) defines the minimum content of printer specification sheets, while Part 2 provides the measurement methods for the print quality attributes listed in those sheets. Both parts are used together for complete product disclosure.
Q: Are the test pattern charts included in the standard?
A: The standard describes the requirements for test patterns but does not include downloadable image files. Users can create compliant patterns based on the specifications given in Annex A of the document. Several industry groups (e.g., NPES, INCITS) offer pre‑compiled charts that meet the requirements.
A: The standard describes the requirements for test patterns but does not include downloadable image files. Users can create compliant patterns based on the specifications given in Annex A of the document. Several industry groups (e.g., NPES, INCITS) offer pre‑compiled charts that meet the requirements.
Q: Can a manufacturer claim compliance if only one attribute (e.g., resolution) is tested?
A: No. Compliance requires that all applicable attributes be tested and reported. An attribute may be omitted only if the product category inherently cannot produce that attribute (e.g., a monochrome printer does not have a colour gamut). The omission must be stated in the report.
A: No. Compliance requires that all applicable attributes be tested and reported. An attribute may be omitted only if the product category inherently cannot produce that attribute (e.g., a monochrome printer does not have a colour gamut). The omission must be stated in the report.
Q: How does the standard address printer modes (draft, normal, high quality)?
A: The standard requires that tests be performed in the manufacturer‑recommended default mode for the target substrate. Additional modes may be tested, but the mode must be clearly identified in the specification sheet alongside the results.
A: The standard requires that tests be performed in the manufacturer‑recommended default mode for the target substrate. Additional modes may be tested, but the mode must be clearly identified in the specification sheet alongside the results.
IEC 13673‑02 continues to be a cornerstone for objective print quality evaluation in the office equipment industry. Manufacturers, test houses, and end users alike benefit from its rigorous methodology, which promotes transparency and comparability in the global marketplace. As of 2026, the standard is under its second revision cycle, with planned updates to include new digital printing technologies and expanded colour measurement protocols.