ISO 11037-2011 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 11037:2011 — Sensory analysis — Guidelines for sensory assessment of the colour of products. This International Standard gives guidance and procedures for the sensory evaluation of product colour for solid, semi‑solid, powder and liquid products (opaque, translucent, cloudy or transparent, matt or glossy) and outlines viewing and lighting conditions for difference testing, profile analysis and grading by panels or experts.

Abstract

ISO 11037:2011 establishes practical guidelines for organising and conducting sensory assessments of product colour. It describes appropriate viewing and lighting conditions, sample presentation and assessment contexts (difference testing, profiling, grading) and clarifies that it does not address consumer testing or metamerism assessment for food products.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed).
• Publication date: July 2011 (Edition 2, published 2011-07).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 67.240 — Sensory analysis.
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2011).
• Number of pages: 18 (official ISO edition page count).

Scope

ISO 11037:2011 provides guidelines for sensory assessment of the colour of a wide range of products (solid, semi‑solid, powder and liquid) and specifies suitable viewing and lighting conditions for various types of sensory colour assessment — including difference testing, profile analysis and grading by trained panels or individual experts. The standard explicitly excludes consumer testing and the assessment of metamerism for food products; it is intended to harmonise practices and reduce variability in colour judgements across assessors and test environments.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and basic principles for sensory colour assessment (scope and limitations).
• Recommended viewing conditions and standardized lighting for colour comparisons and evaluations.
• Guidance on sample presentation and preparation to minimise visual artifacts.
• Procedures for difference testing, profile analysis and grading methods focused on colour attributes.
• Guidance on use of trained panels and, in special cases, individual expert assessors.
• Notes on exclusions — consumer testing and metamerism assessment for foodstuffs are outside the standard’s remit.

Typical use and users

Used by sensory scientists, quality assurance and R&D teams in food, beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, textiles and other industries where visual colour assessment is critical. Typical users include laboratory managers, sensory panel leaders, product developers and external experts who require consistent procedures and controlled viewing conditions to compare product colour and document colour differences.

Related standards

ISO 11037:2011 is related to other sensory and test-environment standards, for example ISO/TC 34/SC 12 outputs such as ISO 8589 (sensory analysis — design of test rooms) and ISO 8586 (selection, training and monitoring of assessors). Historical versions: ISO 11037:1999 was withdrawn and replaced by the 2011 edition.

Keywords

sensory analysis; colour assessment; colour evaluation; viewing conditions; lighting; sensory panel; grading; difference testing; profile analysis; ISO 11037.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 11037:2011 is an international standard providing guidelines for the sensory assessment of the colour of products, covering procedures, viewing/lighting conditions and methods for trained panels and experts.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sensory procedures and recommended viewing/lighting conditions for assessing colour in solids, semi‑solids, powders and liquids, and for methods such as difference testing, profile analysis and grading. It does not cover consumer testing or metamerism assessment for food products.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Sensory scientists, QA/R&D teams, product developers, panel leaders and expert assessors in industries where visual colour consistency and evaluation are important (food, cosmetics, textiles, etc.).

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2011 edition (Edition 2) is the current ISO publication for ISO 11037; it replaced ISO 11037:1999. The standard is published and was confirmed at the time of publication in 2011.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the body of ISO sensory analysis work carried out under ISO/TC 34/SC 12 and should be used alongside related sensory standards (for room design, assessor selection and specific test methods) to ensure comprehensive sensory assessment practices.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Colour assessment; sensory analysis; viewing conditions; lighting; grading; difference testing; profile analysis; sensory panel.