ISO 12931-2012 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 12931:2012 — Performance criteria for authentication solutions used to combat counterfeiting of material goods. This International Standard defines performance criteria and an evaluation methodology for authentication solutions that help determine and validate the authenticity of material goods (including elements integrated in or applied to goods and/or their packaging) throughout the product life cycle.

Abstract

ISO 12931:2012 specifies measurable performance criteria and an evaluation method for authentication solutions intended to establish the authenticity (and related integrity) of material goods over their life cycle. The standard is technology-neutral (it does not mandate particular technical solutions) and is intended to help organizations select appropriate authentication elements after performing a counterfeiting risk analysis.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (replaced by a newer ISO document).
• Publication date: June 2012 (Edition 1, 2012).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 03.140 (Patents; intellectual property / related categories).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2012).
• Number of pages: 28 pages (as published).

Scope

This International Standard provides guidance on performance criteria and an evaluation methodology for authentication solutions that aim to unambiguously establish material-good authenticity (and, where relevant, integrity) across the entire life cycle of the material good. It is applicable to authentication elements added to, integrated in, or inherent to the material good and/or its packaging, and is intended for organizations of all sizes that need to validate authenticity after conducting counterfeiting risk assessment. Track-and-trace alone is outside the scope; the standard does not prescribe specific technologies or economic cost/benefit calculations.

Key topics and requirements

• Performance criteria for authentication solutions (measurable objectives and expected behaviour under defined conditions).
• Evaluation methodology to assess whether an authentication solution meets required performance levels.
• Categories of authentication elements (integrated, intrinsic, overt/covert, forensic) and guidance for selecting elements based on risk analysis.
• Consideration of inspector types and interpretation modes (human, automated, online/offline tools) and interoperability aspects.
• Relevant performance metrics (examples include false acceptance rate, false rejection rate, integrity and reliability indicators).
• Guidance to align authentication solutions with organizational risk and security requirements without mandating specific technologies.

Typical use and users

Intended users include brand owners, manufacturers, packaging and security-printing professionals, authentication solution providers, procurement specialists, regulatory bodies, and organizations seeking to reduce product counterfeiting and fraud. The standard is used to inform specification, selection, testing and evaluation of authentication elements and systems across supply chains.

Related standards

ISO 12931:2012 has been superseded and its subject matter updated by ISO 22383:2020 (Guidelines for the selection and performance evaluation of authentication solutions for material goods). It is part of a broader ISO work programme on authenticity, integrity and trust for products and documents; related standards include ISO 22381 (interoperability among object identification systems), ISO 22378 (guidelines for interoperable object identification and related authentication systems), and other ISO/TC 292 outputs addressing anti-counterfeiting and product/document trust.

Keywords

authentication solutions, anti-counterfeiting, authentication elements, performance criteria, evaluation methodology, product integrity, ISO/TC 292, counterfeit risk assessment, false acceptance rate, false rejection rate.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 12931:2012 is an ISO International Standard that defined performance criteria and an evaluation methodology for authentication solutions intended to combat counterfeiting of material goods.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers performance objectives, evaluation methods, categories of authentication elements (integrated, intrinsic, forensic, overt/covert), inspector and tool considerations (human vs automated), and guidance for selecting authentication elements after a counterfeiting risk assessment. It does not mandate specific technologies or economic cost models.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Brand owners, product manufacturers, packaging and security-printing suppliers, authentication technology providers, procurement and quality teams, and regulators or enforcement bodies concerned with product authenticity.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 12931:2012 has been withdrawn and superseded by ISO 22383:2020 (published September 2020). Users should refer to ISO 22383:2020 for the current guidance and updated framework.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — the subject sits within ISO/TC 292’s family of standards on authenticity, integrity and trust for products and documents (including ISO 22381, ISO 22378 and ISO 22383), which provide complementary guidance on interoperability, identifier systems and selection/evaluation of authentication solutions.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Authentication, anti-counterfeiting, authentication elements, performance criteria, evaluation methodology, product integrity, false acceptance, false rejection, ISO/TC 292.