对白色光源显色能力的表征始于20世纪60年代，但此后光源与颜色科学均已取得长足进展。本CIE立场文件（PS）为该主题的第二版，更新了其2015年的前版。本立场文件的核心要点如下：
Characterizing white light sources for their colour rendering capabilities began in the 1960s, but both light sources and colour science have advanced considerably since then. This CIE Position Statement (PS) is the second edition on this topic, updating its 2015 predecessor. Key take-away points from this Position Statement are described below: