What is BS EN 16853 - Conservation process ?
BS EN 16853 European Standard specifies the process of decision-making, planning and implementing the conservation of tangible cultural heritage. BS EN 16810 applies to material expressions of tangible cultural heritage such as individual objects, collections, the built environment, historic sites, archaeological sites and cultural landscapes.
Note: BS EN 16853 European Standard does not cover how to identify cultural heritage nor who or what competences are required to undertake decisions or other parts of the process.
Who is BS EN 16853 - Conservation process for ?
BS EN 16853 on cultural heritage is useful for:
- Conservation practitioners
- Cultural heritage conservatives
- Archeologist
- Historians
Why should you use BS EN 16853 - Conservation process ?
Cultural heritage is of significance and value to present and future generations. The objective of conservation is to manage change in a way that sustains and enhances the significance of cultural heritage. Conservation is more complex than just a mechanistic series of actions with a beginning, middle and end. Successful conservation results in the delivery of identified objectives. It usually involves the following components: documentation, definition of scope, information gathering, risk evaluation, formulation of conservation options, and the development and implementation of a conservation plan. Although conservation can be understood as an ongoing process, continuing into the future, a specific intervention or project can be completed by the delivery and evaluation of an agreed set of outcomes including recommendations. Ultimately the emphasis on each component will depend on the circumstances in which conservation is undertaken.
BS EN 16853 sets out good practice for the conceptual and practical elements of conservation. It is independent of but respects national regulations and applies to all types of objects whether or not protected by legislation. BS EN 16853 can be applied to public and private tendering, and to procedures in institutions.
BS EN 16853 is part of a series of standards being developed by CEN to present the consensus on current best practice in the conservation of cultural heritage. Intended users of BS EN 16853 are all those engaged in and responsible for the conservation of cultural heritage.
