ISO IEC 30137-1-2024 PDF

Full title and description

Information technology — Use of biometrics in video surveillance systems — Part 1: System design and specification (ISO/IEC 30137-1:2024). This international standard provides guidance for the specification and design of biometric capabilities (most commonly face recognition, but also other modalities such as gait) integrated with video surveillance systems (VSS/CCTV), covering performance metrics, camera selection and placement, gallery/watchlist composition, data formats and operator support.

Abstract

The ISO/IEC 30137 series addresses the use of biometrics in video surveillance systems for scenarios including real‑time watchlist operation and post‑event analysis. Part 1 (2024) defines key terms and performance metrics, gives guidance on camera types and placement, recommends image and metadata formats, advises on watchlist/gallery composition and sizes, and highlights governance, privacy and operator requirements. It also describes related tasks such as crowd estimation, multi‑camera identity linking and use of other biometric modalities.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard).
• Publication date: 8 March 2024.
• Publisher: ISO/IEC (joint publication by the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission; developed by ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37 Biometric data).
• ICS / categories: 35.240.15 (Identification cards and related devices; biometrics).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2024) — revises ISO/IEC 30137-1:2019.
• Number of pages: 46 (ISO official edition).

Scope

The standard applies to the design and specification of biometric recognition capabilities used with video surveillance systems (VSS/CCTV) across use cases such as real‑time watchlist matching and forensic or post‑event analysis. It covers facial recognition as the principal modality but also provides guidance for other modalities (e.g., gait, iris), and addresses system elements from camera selection and image quality to gallery construction, metadata, operator interfaces and governance considerations (including privacy and signage).

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and performance metrics for biometric functions deployed in VSS environments.
• Guidance on camera types, placement, installation and image specification to support reliable biometric capture.
• Recommendations for composition, image quality and sizing of galleries/watchlists to meet performance goals.
• Data and metadata formats for facial images and derived biometric data from video streams.
• Operator support: user interface, workflows, and training to ensure effective human‑in‑the‑loop operation.
• Governance, privacy and security controls specific to biometric use in surveillance (signage, data protection, accountability).
• Interfaces to related video analytics and procedures for tasks such as crowd estimation, multi‑camera linking and attribute estimation.

Typical use and users

Primary users include system architects and integrators of video surveillance and biometric systems, public‑safety agencies and security operations centers, procurement teams specifying watchlist systems, vendors of cameras and recognition software, privacy and governance officers assessing deployments, and researchers developing VSS biometric solutions. The standard is used when designing, specifying or procuring biometric-enabled surveillance systems and when establishing operational and governance controls.

Related standards

Other parts of the ISO/IEC 30137 series are directly related (for example ISO/IEC 30137-4:2021 on ground truth and video annotation procedures). Related biometric and video standards from ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37 and other committees (testing, data formats, privacy/security frameworks) should be considered when implementing VSS biometric systems.

Keywords

biometrics, video surveillance, CCTV, face recognition, gait recognition, watchlist, gallery composition, camera placement, image quality, metadata, operator interface, governance, privacy, ISO/IEC 30137

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC 30137-1:2024 is an international standard providing system design and specification guidance for the use of biometric technologies (primarily face recognition) within video surveillance systems.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers terminology and performance metrics, camera selection and placement, image and metadata formats, gallery/watchlist construction, operator workflows and training, governance and privacy considerations, and interfaces to related video analytics tasks.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: System designers, integrators, security and public safety organizations, vendors of biometric and video systems, procurement teams, privacy/governance officers and researchers.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — ISO/IEC 30137-1:2024 (Edition 2) was published on 8 March 2024 and supersedes ISO/IEC 30137-1:2019 (Edition 1).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 1 of the ISO/IEC 30137 series on the use of biometrics in video surveillance systems; other parts (for example Part 4 on ground truth and video annotation) address complementary topics.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Biometrics, video surveillance, face recognition, watchlist, gallery, camera placement, metadata, privacy, governance.