The colorimeter industry is ushering in a reshaping of measurement rules

In February 2026, ISO 10012:2026 was officially released - this marks the most significant revision of the standard since 2003, directly rewriting the underlying logic for colorimeter calibration and acceptance.

The new standard introduces three core changes: First, it introduces the concept of "Guard Banding". When the measurement uncertainty U of the colorimeter is 0.3, the acceptance limit for products with ΔE≤1.0 is actually reduced to 0.4. Second, it specifies that the measurement capability ratio (TUR) must be ≥2:1; otherwise, the data is unreliable. Third, the calibration interval moves away from the extensive model of "calibration once a year" and shifts towards scientific methods such as drift analysis and risk benchmarking.

What does this mean? The era when "feeling similar" was enough to get by is over. Companies must either upgrade their equipment precision or accept stricter judgment standards.

The data confirms this trend. By 2026, the total market size of colorimeters in China is expected to reach 4.87 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year increase of 9.3%. Among them, portable models account for 58.2%, while desktop high-precision models make up 22.6%. Notably, the market share of domestic mid-to-high-end products has risen to 37.6%.

The industry is evolving along four main lines: precision and speed are both increasing, with the accuracy of high-end equipment reaching the 0.01 level; intelligent interconnection has become a standard, with AI automatic calibration, MES integration, and cloud data synchronization gradually becoming popular; portability continues to advance, accommodating both laboratory and field scenarios; technology segmentation expands, with hyperspectral fusion and non-standard customization solutions accelerating their implementation.

In this context, the Haopu Jia colorimeter deserves attention. It covers three series: portable, desktop, and spectrophotometer. With built-in AI algorithms, it can automatically identify sample types and recommend the optimal measurement mode. It provides one-stop services from instrument selection to after-sales maintenance and can customize color difference control solutions for production lines. For enterprises that are dealing with the new ISO 10012:2026 regulations, choosing the right tool is crucial to shift from "passive error correction" to "active prevention".

Standards are changing, so it's time to update our tools.