ISO IEC 24779-1-2016 PDF

Full title and description

Information technology — Cross-jurisdictional and societal aspects of implementation of biometric technologies — Pictograms, icons and symbols for use with biometric systems — Part 1: General principles. This part defines the approach for specifying a family of icons, pictograms and symbols intended to communicate modality, preparation and behaviour to subjects using biometric enrolment, verification and identification systems.

Abstract

ISO/IEC 24779-1:2016 is the first part of a multi‑part International Standard that specifies a family of icons and symbols used with biometric devices. It describes the methodology for developing these pictograms, the range of biometric technologies covered, and guidance on how the symbols are used to inform and guide data‑capture subjects during both enrolment and recognition processes. The document emphasises communication with the subject rather than operator‑only instructions.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed in ISO five‑year review process).
• Publication date: April 2016.
• Publisher: Joint ISO/IEC publication (ISO catalogue entry / JTC 1/SC 37 responsible committee).
• ICS / categories: 01.080.50; 35.240.15 (Identification and biometrics / identification cards and related devices).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2016).
• Number of pages: 10.

Information in the table above is drawn from the ISO catalogue entry for ISO/IEC 24779‑1:2016.

Scope

Specifies general principles for creating and using pictograms, icons and symbols that communicate to the public when interacting with biometric systems. The scope covers modalities of biometrics (for example face, fingerprint, vascular, etc.), guidance on symbol design and use, and how symbols should advise users about preparation and behaviour during enrolment and recognition. The part intentionally excludes symbols used exclusively in supervised enrolment situations where an attendant is available to instruct the subject.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of a family of icons and pictograms for biometric modalities and actions (enrolment, verification, identification).
• Design principles and usage guidance to ensure consistent communication to data‑capture subjects across jurisdictions.
• Emphasis on subject‑facing communication (preparation, pose, behaviour) rather than operator technical instructions.
• Guidance on applicability across biometric technologies (face, fingerprint, vascular, etc.) and on when additional, modality‑specific symbols (other parts of the series) should be used.
• Conformance notes: how implementations can use the pictograms and where additional operator or deployment information may be required.

Typical use and users

Designed for biometric system manufacturers and integrators, UI/UX and signage designers for public biometric terminals, airports and border control agencies, government bodies deploying biometric enrolment/recognition systems, and standards professionals aligning user‑facing graphics. Typical deployments include kiosks, unattended capture terminals, border control and immigration points of entry, and instructional materials where clear, jurisdiction‑neutral symbols reduce user error and improve consistency.

Related standards

ISO/IEC 24779 is a multi‑part series; other parts address modality‑specific pictograms and application guidance (for example, ISO/IEC 24779‑5:2020 covers face applications). The series is developed under ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37 (Biometrics) and should be consulted together when implementing a complete set of symbols for a deployment. For an overview of the series and related parts, see the ISO catalogue and standards listings.

Keywords

biometrics, pictograms, icons, symbols, enrolment, verification, identification, human‑machine communication, user guidance, ISO/IEC 24779

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC 24779‑1:2016 specifies general principles for a family of pictograms, icons and symbols intended to communicate to subjects who use biometric enrolment and recognition systems.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the approach to specifying icons and symbols for multiple biometric modalities, guidance on their intended communicative role (preparation, behaviour, modality identification), and limits—such as excluding symbols used only in supervised enrolment.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Biometric system vendors and integrators, UI and signage designers, airports and border control authorities, government agencies deploying biometric systems, and standards professionals.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO/IEC 24779‑1 was published in April 2016 (Edition 1) and was reviewed/confirmed in ISO's review process (confirmed in 2022), so that edition remains the current published version unless a later revision has been issued after the 2022 confirmation. Users should check the ISO catalogue for any post‑2022 revisions before purchase or implementation.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO/IEC 24779 is a multi‑part series with modality‑specific parts (for example Part 5 for face applications, published 2020) and companion documents that together provide complete pictogram sets and guidance.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Biometrics, pictogram, icon, symbol, enrolment, verification, identification, user guidance, cross‑jurisdictional communication, JTC 1/SC 37.