ISO 14298 V/s ISO 17901‑2 for Hologram Production
Two important international standards apply to different aspects of hologram production: ISO 14298 – Management of security printing processes, and ISO 17901‑2 – Measurement of hologram recording characteristics. ISO 14298 is a management system standard that specifies requirements for secure and quality‑controlled security printing, including access control, material traceability, process validation, and waste destruction. It applies to the entire production chain of security holograms (from master origination to final labels). ISO 17901‑2 is a technical measurement standard that defines methods for quantifying the recording characteristics of a hologram master (e.g., exposure curve, diffraction efficiency, refractive index modulation). It focuses on the optical performance of the recording material and the quality of the interference pattern. Neither standard replaces the other; they complement each other. ISO 14298 ensures the process is secure and controlled; ISO 17901‑2 ensures the hologram master has the correct optical properties. Holoseal works with manufacturers that adhere to both standards for high‑security applications.
🔬 Detailed Comparison: ISO 14298 vs. ISO 17901‑2
| Aspect | ISO 14298 – Security Printing Management | ISO 17901‑2 – Hologram Recording Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Specifies requirements for a secure and quality‑controlled security printing process. Prevents unauthorised production and ensures traceability. | Defines methods to measure recording characteristics of holograms (e.g., exposure curves, diffraction efficiency, refractive index modulation). |
| Scope | Entire security printing organisation – policy, access control, material handling, production, inspection, storage, delivery. | Laboratory measurement of hologram recording materials (photoresist, photopolymer) using double‑beam interference setups. |
| Key Requirements | Security policy, risk assessment, background checks, access logs, master plate/shim control, traceability of raw materials, waste destruction, audit trails. | Measurement of exposure characteristic curve, half‑maximum exposure, R‑value, amplitude of refractive index modulation (Δn). |
| Applies To | Security printers, hologram manufacturers, passport/banknote printers, secure label converters. | Hologram origination labs (R&D, master production) – not for final product inspection. |
| Certification / Compliance | Certifiable by accredited bodies (e.g., BSI, SGS) – demonstrates security management maturity. | Not certifiable; used as a technical guideline for internal quality control and supplier evaluation. |
| How It Helps Hologram Production | Prevents counterfeiting of the hologram process, ensures secure supply chain, and provides audit evidence for customers. | Ensures the hologram master has optimal brightness and consistency, reducing batch‑to‑batch variation. |
| Typical Users | Security printers, government mints, large hologram manufacturers seeking certification. | Origination engineers, R&D labs, quality control departments in hologram production. |
| Interrelationship | ISO 14298 may require that recording characteristics are measured as part of process control – referencing ISO 17901‑2. | Measurements from ISO 17901‑2 feed into ISO 14298’s process validation and quality records. |
🔍 What is ISO 14298?
ISO 14298:2014 – Graphic technology – Management of security printing processes. It is a management system standard similar to ISO 9001 but with additional security controls. Key elements:
- Security policy and risk assessment
- Personnel background checks and training
- Control of master plates, shims, and printing plates
- Traceability of all raw materials (holographic film, adhesives, inks)
- Secure destruction of waste and rejected products
- Regular internal and external audits
Compliance is often required for banknote and passport hologram suppliers.
🔍 What is ISO 17901‑2?
ISO 17901‑2:2015 – Optics and photonics – Holography – Part 2: Methods for measurement of hologram recording characteristics. It provides standardised procedures for measuring the performance of holographic recording materials (photoresist, photopolymer). Key measurements include:
- Exposure characteristic curve – diffracted intensity vs exposure energy
- Half‑maximum exposure (E50) – exposure to reach 50% of max diffraction efficiency
- R‑value – recording sensitivity metric
- Refractive index modulation (Δn) – derived from diffraction efficiency and material thickness
This standard is used by origination labs to optimise exposure settings and ensure batch‑to‑batch consistency of the hologram master.
🔐 How They Work Together
For a high‑security hologram manufacturer, both standards are relevant:
- ISO 14298 provides the overarching security management framework – controlling who can access the master origination lab, how shims are tracked, and how waste is destroyed.
- ISO 17901‑2 provides the technical method to verify that the hologram master recording is optimal and consistent. The measurements become part of ISO 14298’s process validation and quality records.
Neither is “better”; they address different layers of quality and security.
🌍 Real‑World Examples
- ISO 14298 certified hologram manufacturer – They have access‑controlled clean rooms, shim tracking, and regular audits.
- ISO 17901‑2 used in an origination lab – Engineers measure exposure curves to set optimal laser power for photoresist coating.
- Combined approach – A security printer uses ISO 14298 for management and requires suppliers to provide ISO 17901‑2 test reports for each batch of hologram masters.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
- Is ISO 14298 mandatory for hologram suppliers? – Not mandatory for all, but many government tenders (banknotes, passports) require it. For commercial brand protection, it is not typically required.
- Can a small hologram supplier implement ISO 14298? – Yes, the standard is scalable. A small supplier can implement simplified procedures for access control, material traceability, and waste destruction.
- Does ISO 17901‑2 require expensive equipment? – Yes – it requires a laser interferometer setup, photodetectors, and precise motion stages. Usually only origination labs have such equipment.
- What is the relationship between ISO 17901‑2 and diffraction efficiency? – Part 1 of ISO 17901 covers measurement of diffraction efficiency, angular selectivity, and wavelength selectivity for finished holograms. Part 2 (recording characteristics) is for the recording material/process.
- How does Holoseal ensure compliance with these standards? – We work with partners that follow ISO 14298 principles and use ISO 17901‑2 measurements where applicable. Contact us to discuss your quality and security requirements.
