This International Standard describes the general procedure for measuring the diffuse radiance factor of all types of pulp, paper and board. More particularly, it specifies in detail in Annex A the characteristics of the equipment to be used for such measurements, and in Annex B the procedures to be used for calibrating that equipment.

This International Standard may be used to measure the diffuse radiance factors and related properties of materials containing fluorescent whitening agents, provided that the UV-content of the instrument illumination has been adjusted to give the same level of fluorescence as a fluorescent reference standard for a selected CIE illuminant, in accordance with the specific International Standard describing the measurement of the property in question.

This International Standard describes in Annex C the preparation of fluorescent reference standards, although the procedures for using these standards are not included, since their use is described in detail in the specific International Standards describing the measurement of the properties of materials containing fluorescent whitening agents.