TAPPI T 578 sp-16 describes a laboratory procedure for the exposure of printing and writing paper to xenon-arc light at elevated levels of light flux to permit accelerated aging of that type of paper.

This standard practice specifies the sample preparation and conditions of exposure required to obtain information on the relative stability of paper with regard to change in optical properties brought about by exposure of such paper to light.

This standard practice provides qualitative guidelines regarding paper stability. It does not define the life expectancy for a given paper to reach a specified set of optical properties.

This standard practice uses high-intensity broadband light sources that may not be suitable for the evaluation of light stability of papers that contain peroxide bleached mechanical pulp (1).