CIEStandards

CIE Standards are the technical recommendations and standards developed by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) to standardize the measurement and specification of color and light across industries. The CIE, founded in 1913, produces documents that define quantities, color spaces, appearance models, and measurement geometries used in lighting, photography, printing, and display technology. These standards serve as international references and are often adopted or adapted by national standards bodies and ISO.

Key concepts include the CIE 1931 XYZ color space and the 2-degree standard observer, and the later addition of a 10-degree observer. The CIE chromaticity diagram provides a two-dimensional representation of colors independent of luminance. Standard illuminants, such as illuminant A and D65, define common spectral references for lighting and color evaluation. Color spaces derived from the RGB framework, such as CIE L*a*b* and L*u*v*, enable perceptual color measurement and device-independent color specification. Color appearance models (for example CAM02) describe how colors are perceived under different viewing conditions. The CIEDE2000 color-difference formula is widely used to quantify perceptual differences between colors.

Impact and use: CIE Standards underpin color specification, quality control, and calibration processes in displays, lighting products, photography, printing, and color imaging. They influence regulatory requirements and technical benchmarks worldwide.

Organization and process: Standards are developed by international working groups and published as recommendations or formal standards. The CIE collaborates with other standardization bodies, and its documents often inform ISO standards and national regulations.