Arkistokestävyys

Arkistokestävyys, a Finnish term meaning archival durability or archival sustainability, refers to the long‑term preservation of records in a form and material state suitable for future access and use. The concept encompasses both the physical integrity of the artifacts—paper, electronic media, photographic plates—and the functional integrity of the associated metadata, context and authenticity data. In practice, arkistokestävyys is understood through the interaction of storage environment, material composition, handling practices and legal requirements.

The preservation of original documents is critical for legal, cultural, and historical reasons. Archival durability requires preventing chemical degradation (e.g., acid hydrolysis of paper), biological damage (fungi, insects) and physical wear. Temperature, humidity, light exposure, and air composition are controlled to slow up deterioration processes. Digital records present analogous challenges: bit rot, format obsolescence, and media failures necessitate migration, emulation, and replication strategies.

Finnish archival policy, guided by the 2017 Archives Act, establishes standards for archiving, including accredited preservation practices and resource criteria for long‑term storage. The Act obliges public institutions to treat records with respect to both archival durability and information transparency, mandating that documentation be maintainable and retrievable for at least sixteen years, with certain records stored permanently. International bodies such as the International Council on Archives and the Universal Archives Protection Network provide benchmarking practices, further shaping national approaches.

Effective arkistokestävyys also depends on staff training and an organization’s culture. Proper accession, microfilming, digitization, and cataloguing enhance durability by reducing handling and ensuring metadata integrity. Sustainable resource planning, including climate‑controlled facilities, specialized conservation laboratories, and robust IT infrastructure, are essential components of a comprehensive durability strategy, ensuring that records remain available for future generations.