Standards preserving cultural heritage

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Have you visited museums or cultural landmarks recently? Two newly published European standards will help ensure that you can enjoy historical artefacts without putting them at risk and protect them for generations to come. 

EVS-EN 15999-1:2025 and EVS-EN 15999-2:2025 provide clear guidance for the design of showcases used in museums, galleries, and heritage institutions across Europe. 

What is in the standards? 

EVS-EN 15999-1:2025 outlines the essential features needed for showcases to safely and securely display cultural heritage items. It focuses on passive showcases (those that rely on unpowered systems to control the internal environment) and emphasises the role of preventive conservation, based on site-specific risk assessments. 

EVS-EN 15999-2:2025 builds on this by classifying the technical properties of passive showcases. It applies to a wide range of scenarios: permanent and temporary exhibitions, historic and modern cases, and even settings with limited environmental controls. The standard helps institutions assess the performance of showcases using clear, technical criteria, ensuring safe conditions for the objects inside. 

Why do these standards matter? 

Together, the two standards promote a consistent, risk-based approach to designing showcases that help mitigate damage caused by environmental factors such as light, humidity, and pollutants.

They are especially valuable for institutions seeking to preserve rare and irreplaceable objects. 

By supporting the long-term conservation of items with historical, artistic, or scientific significance, the standards help safeguard not only the physical artefacts, but also their cultural and educational value for future generations. 

Source: CEN and CENELEC