Some background information is provided on the current efforts to pass through Congress a resolution stipulating that U.S. Federal agencies and American U.S. publishers use permanent paper. The reasons for this are outlined, then some of the terms commonly employed when discussing the matter are defined. A history of attempts to change from acid to alkaline paper is provided, then all available U.S. standards for papers for permanent records are listed with comments on their current status. The way in which standards can be used in procurement is described, mentioning the defects in the currently available standards and how these will be revised. Finally comments are made on the possible use in this context of recycled paper. Standards to which reference is made are those of: ASTM, ANSI and the new I.S.O. one. -- AATA