ISO 18490-2015 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 18490-2015 — Non-destructive testing — Evaluation of vision acuity of NDT personnel. This International Standard specifies the form of the optotype and test chart, the quality requirements and scaling checks for the chart, the test procedure and acceptance level for near vision acuity of personnel performing non‑destructive testing (NDT), and the qualification/competence requirements for persons authorised to carry out the test.

Abstract

ISO 18490:2015 covers only the assessment of near vision acuity under defined conditions representative of routine NDT inspection. It defines the optotype form, chart quality and scaling verification, the test environment and procedure, acceptance criteria for near vision acuity and requirements for personnel administering the test. The standard does not address overall visual health or colour vision; employers/users are advised to consider full eye examinations by medical specialists where appropriate.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: June 2015 (2015-06).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 19.100; 03.100.30.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2015).
• Number of pages: 8 (ISO edition).

Basic bibliographic and lifecycle details as recorded by ISO.

Scope

This standard applies to the measurement of near visual acuity for NDT personnel under controlled conditions that simulate routine inspection practice. It specifies chart design (E‑optotypes), print and scaling verification, permitted use of corrective eyewear during testing, the environment (illumination and eye‑to‑chart geometry), the conduct of the test and the acceptance criteria that determine whether a candidate’s near vision is adequate for NDT tasks. It explicitly excludes assessments of overall ocular health and any colour‑vision requirements.

Key topics and requirements

• Optotype and chart design: E‑shaped optotypes arranged in blocks/lines with random rotations to avoid guess patterns; chart includes size‑verification marks and spacing defined by the standard.
• Chart print quality and scaling checks: charts printed in high‑contrast black on white with verification marks (annotated distance marks) to confirm correct scaling before use.
• Test environment: controlled visible white light and specified illumination levels; defined eye‑to‑chart distance and chart orientation perpendicular to the line of sight.
• Procedure and responses: binocular testing using the candidate’s usual corrective eyewear (if required), systematic recording of responses line by line until limit of acuity is reached.
• Acceptance level and follow‑up: a defined pass/fail criterion for near acuity (standard specifies which lines/optotypes must be correctly identified); failed tests prompt verification of chart/conditions and, where appropriate, retest with corrective lenses or referral for clinical eye examination.
• Personnel administering the test: administrators must be trained and designated (documented) by the responsible NDT authority or Level‑3 NDT personnel; record‑keeping and traceability are required.

Representative technical details and the recommended test parameters (illumination, eye‑to‑chart distance, acceptance lines, and administrator qualification) are set out in the published standard and in national/EN adoptions.

Typical use and users

Used by employers, NDT training organisations, certification bodies, Level‑2 and Level‑3 NDT supervisors, quality managers and occupational health personnel to confirm that inspectors, trainees and certified NDT personnel meet the near‑vision requirements necessary for safe and effective inspection work. The standard supports personnel qualification schemes and local competency/fitness‑for‑duty checks in sectors such as aerospace, oil & gas, power generation and manufacturing.

Related standards

ISO 18490 is commonly referenced alongside personnel qualification and certification standards such as ISO 9712 (Non‑destructive testing — Qualification and certification of NDT personnel) and regional/adoption documents (for example EN/BS/AS national adoptions). Revisions to personnel certification standards (e.g., updates to ISO 9712 / EN ISO 9712) explicitly reference vision‑assessment requirements such as those in ISO 18490. A newer edition (FDIS process) to update ISO 18490 has been progressed in the ISO work programme.

Keywords

NDT, non‑destructive testing, vision acuity, near vision, optotype, E chart, chart scaling, test procedure, illumination, acceptance criteria, NDT personnel, vision test.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 18490:2015 is an International Standard that specifies how to evaluate near vision acuity of personnel who perform non‑destructive testing, including chart design, test procedure, acceptance levels and qualification requirements for test administrators.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers near visual acuity assessment under controlled conditions representative of routine NDT inspection — optotype and chart requirements, print/scale verification, illumination and eye‑to‑chart geometry, procedural rules, pass/fail criteria and administrator competence. It does not cover overall ocular health or colour vision testing.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Employers, NDT training and certification bodies, Level‑2/Level‑3 supervisors, occupational health staff and quality managers use the standard to ensure NDT personnel meet near‑vision requirements required by inspection tasks and by certification schemes.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The published edition is ISO 18490:2015 (Edition 1). ISO records indicate the standard is on the ISO review cycle and an updated edition (FDIS stage) has been progressed to replace or revise the 2015 edition — check the ISO catalogue or your national standards body for the latest formal status.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is a stand‑alone ISO standard focused on vision acuity for NDT personnel but is used alongside other NDT personnel and quality standards (notably ISO 9712 and relevant EN/industry adoption documents) within NDT certification, training and employer competency frameworks.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: NDT, vision acuity, near vision, optotype, E chart, chart scaling, illumination, test procedure, acceptance level, NDT personnel.