scope:

This objective method covers an instrumental comparison of a sample's color against a reference by defining measurement conditions and measurement procedures for the measurement of effect colors and solid colors.

The aim is to instrumentally determine those color differences between sample and reference, which are caused by materials, processing, or which arise after testing of, e.g. aging.

The measurement results are similar to those of the visual perception, but visual assessment according to Ford Laboratory Test Method BI 109-01 will always override numerical measurement data and is compulsory for any type of appearance approval.