FEDERAL STANDARD 595B

COLORS USED IN GOVERNMENT

PROCUREMENT

Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

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8381 Katella Ave, Suite J
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 Note

The existence of a color chip 1xxxx in the Federal Standard specification doesn't imply that
there is a color chip for 3xxxx. However, references to such “virtual” chips built on the
principle “same color, but different sheen” are a widespread practice.

INFORMATION SHEET

ON

FEDERAL STANDARDS

This Federal Standard is issued in loose-leaf form to permit the insertion or

removal of new revised material.

All users of Federal Standards should keep them up to date by inserting revised or
new material as issued.

New and revised material will be issued under Change Notices which will be
numbered consecutively and will bear the date of issuance. Change Notices
should be retained and filed in front of the Standard until such time as it is
superseded by a reissue of the entire Standard.
Federal Standard 595B December 15, 1989

FED-STD-595B
December 15, 1989
SUPERSEDING
FED-STD-5 95A
January 2, 1968

FEDERAL STANDARD No. 595B

COLORS USED IN GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT

Authority. This standard is issued pursuant to the Federal Property and

Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended, and its application to the
purchase of commodities referred to herein is mandatory on all Federal agencies.

S1. Scope. This standard presents the colors used by Government Activities in a format suitable
for color selection, color matching and for quality control inspection. This document describes
the designation and use of the color chips of this standard. For reference purposes, each color is
reproduced herein as a 1/2 by 1 inch sample. The standard color chips are also available in the
following formats:

1. Specification - - This specification supplied in loose leaf 8-1/2x11 paper with 1/2x1”
color samples. Suitable for color identification and selection.

2. Fan Deck - - Suitable for color identification and selection.

3. Sets of color chips - - A set containing one 3 x 5 inch color chip each in its protective
envelope -- suitable for color matching and quality control inspection purposes.

S2. Applicable Documents.

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standards:

D 523 -- Specular Gloss.

D 1729 -- Visual Evaluation of Color Differences of Opaque Materials.
D 2244 -- Calculation of Color Differences from instrumentally measured color coordinates.
E 308 -- Spectrophotometry and Description of Color in CIE 1931 System.

(Copies may be obtained from the American Society for Testing and Materials, 1916
Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.)

S3. Color Identification and Reference.

S3.1 Color Identification. Each color is identified by a five-digit code. Colors in this standard are
not to be referenced without giving the five-digit code, otherwise the reference is ambiguous.

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Federal Standard 595B December 15, 1989

S3.2 Numbering System.

S3.2.1 First Digit. The first digit of the color number indicates the color at a level or degree of
gloss. The colors are divided only into three generalized finishes; gloss, semi—gloss and flat.
For ease in judging the color matching (see also 3.3) the color number closest in gloss to that
required should be specified. Specific levels of gloss, other than these standard levels must be
separately specified in the procurement documents.

First Digit Finish

1 Gloss
2 Semi—Gloss
3 Flat or Lusterless

S3.2.2 Second Digit. The second digit of the color number indicates an arbitrarily selected color
classification grouping.

Predominate
Second Digit Color Grouping
0 Brown
1 Red
2 Orange
3 Yellow
4 Green
5 Blue
6 Gray
7 Miscellaneous (whites, blacks, etc.)
8 Fluorescent

S3.2.3 Last Three Digits. The last three digits of the color number are assigned in the
approximate order of increasing reflectance.

S3.3 Color Matching.

S3.3.1 General. This standard covers color chips for color matching and control of items
produced for Government use. Unless otherwise specified or designated by the contracting
officer, color chips shall be the latest in effect by date of contract. Color matching by
chromaticity coordinates or tristimulus values is not authorized for colors referenced in this
standard.

S3.3.2 Metamerism. Colors that visually match in lights of certain spectral compositions but not
in others are said to be metameric. The light source, condition of viewing and specular
reflectance is critical to overcome metamerism and to determine correct matches. Therefore,
light sources as specified in ASTM D 1729 shall be used for visual color matching.

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Federal Standard 595B December 15, 1989

S3.3.3 Color Matching Criteria. In specifying color, the procurement documents should state:

a. The FED-STD-595 color number;

b. The source (or sources) of illumination under which the color is to be matched; and
c. The method by which the color is to be matched; either:
(1) ASTM D 1729 --Visual Evaluation of Color Differences of Opaque Materials
-- state whether critical or general match; or,
(2) ASTM D 2244 --Calculation of Color Differences from instrumentally
measured color coordinates. --State for CIEL1B color space the maximum color
difference and the maximum hue difference tolerated. Name and address of
organization supplying paint chip.

S3.4 Color Chip Authorized for Use.

S3.4.1 After the publication of this standard, only color chips marked FED—STD--595B shall be
used.

S3.4.2 Color chips which are soiled, stained, faded, or otherwise damaged due to improper
handling, storage or exposure to light or chemicals shall not be used.

S3.5 Care of color chips. All color chips will change with time and some will change more than
others. Color change can be minimized by observing the following procedures.

a. Store the color chips in a cool, dark place;

b. Avoid exposure of the color chips to direct or scattered UV light or chemicals;
c. Minimize exposure of the color chips to light from any source;
d. Keep the color chips covered when not in use;
e. Do not touch the face of the color chips.

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Federal Standard 595B December 15, 1989

S4. Color Cross Reference. The following colors meet the special requirements for safety,
highway and camouflage colors.

Safety Colors (OSHA) Highway Colors (DOT) Camouflage Colors

Red -- 11120 Brown -- 10055 Green 383 -- 34094

-- 11105 Red -- 11086 Brown 383 -- 30051
-- 11140 -- 11105 Black -- 37030
Orange -- 12300 Orange -- 12243 Tan 686 -- 33446
-- 12246 Yellow -- 13507 Dark Green -- 34082
Yellow -- 13591 -- 13538 Field Drab -- 33105
-- 13655 Green -- 14066 Earth Yellow -- 33245
Green -- 14120 -- 14109 Sand -- 33303
-- 14260 Blue -- 15065 Aircraft Green -- 34031
Blue -- 15092 -- 15090 Aircraft Gray -- 36300
-- 15102 School Bus Dark Sandstone -- 33510
Purple -- 17155 Yellow -- 13415 Interior
-- 17142 Aircraft Black -- 37031

International Orange –12197

Note: The chips for camouflage colors shall be used for general color matching purposes only.
The specifications for camouflage coatings contain requirements for infrared reflectance which
must be met in addition to color. The color cards (chips) for the camouflage colors will contain
pigments chosen for their stability and compatibility with the color card coating and, therefore,
have different infrared reflectance characteristics than those required for camouflage coatings.
Merely matching the color chip for color will not be sufficient to assure product acceptance by
the contracting activity. For further information, contact:

Commander, U.S. Army Belvoir RDE Center,

ATTN: STRBE-VO, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060—5606.

S5. Color Chip Reproduction. Color chips may not be reproduced without the authorization of
General Services Administration. Reproduction of color chips from any source other than the
master standard is not authorized. The General Services Administration must approve all color
matches made when the color chips are reproduced.

S7. International standardization agreement. Several colors listed in this standard are the subject
of international standardization agreement, MAS Army 440, 7 December 1987, NATO
STANAG 2321, Edition 4. When there is a change, revision, or cancellation of this standard
which will affect or violate the international agreement concerned, the preparing activity will
take appropriate reconciliatory action through international standardization channels including
departmental standardization offices, if required. The following colors are covered by the above
agreement: silver/aluminum 17178, brown 30117 or 30140, red 31136, light red 31158, yellow
33538, light green 34558 or 34449, dark green 34108, light blue 35109, gray 36231, black
37038, violet 37100, and white 37875.

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CHANGE NOTICES ARE NOT Federal Standard No. 595B
CUMULATIVE AND SHALL BE December 15, 1989
RETAINED UNTIL SUCH TIME Change Notice 1
AS THE ENTIRE STANDARD January 11, 1994
IS REVISED

FEDERAL STANDARD

COLORS USED IN GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT

The General Services Adminstration has authorized the use of this Change in Federal
Standard No. 595B, dated December 15, 1989, for all Federal users.

PAGE 4

S3.2.1 Delete the table and replace with the following table:

First Digit Finish Gloss Level

Min Max

1 Gloss 80 --
2 Semi-gloss 30 45
3 Flat or Lusterless -- 6

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