ISO IEC 15434-2025 PDF

Full title and description

Information technology — Automatic identification and data capture techniques — Syntax for high-capacity ADC media. Specifies a transfer structure, message syntax, coding and data formats for exchanging information using high-capacity automatic data capture (ADC) media such as 2D symbols, RFID transponders, contact memories and smart cards.

Abstract

This International Standard defines the transfer structure, syntax, character coding and data formats to be used when encoding and decoding high-capacity ADC media. It provides a consistent message/container format to enable trading partners and carrier systems to exchange multi-field data captured by high-capacity ADC technologies, and includes normative references and options for character sets, data interchange syntax and digital signing where applicable.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: 9 January 2025
• Publisher: ISO and IEC (joint publication by ISO/IEC)
• ICS / categories: 35.040.50 (Automatic identification and data capture techniques)
• Edition / version: Edition 5 (2025)
• Number of pages: 31

Scope

Specifies a transfer structure, syntax, coding of messages and data formats when using high-capacity ADC media between suppliers and recipients and, where applicable, in support of carrier applications (for example bills of lading, sortation and tracking). The standard addresses multi-field data encoding for shipping, receiving, inventory, supporting documentation and transport-unit tracking. It defines the allowed character set and syntax rules for message containers but does not prescribe internal application-specific data structures except by reference to established data identifier schemes and conventions.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of a message/transfer structure for high-capacity ADC media (container framing and record layout).
• Character set and encoding rules (ISO/IEC 646 subset and provisions for modern interchange syntaxes such as JSON where referenced).
• Specification of field delimiters, control characters and escape mechanisms appropriate for ADC environments.
• Coding and formatting rules for multi-field data captured by 2D symbols, RFID, contact memories and smart cards.
• Normative interoperability references (data identifiers, application identifiers and electronic data interchange rules).
• Provisions for message integrity and optional digital signature/data structure support where referenced.
• Application guidance for use between trading partners and in carrier/sortation/tracking contexts; explicit note that it does not replace regulatory labelling requirements.

Typical use and users

Used by supply-chain architects, logistics and warehouse systems integrators, RFID and barcode hardware/software vendors, label and tag implementers, EDI and middleware developers, packaging and transport organizations, and standards or compliance teams. Typical applications include encoding shipment and pallet content information, carrier sortation markers, item-level tagging for logistics, and exchanging structured ADC-captured data between trading partners.

Related standards

Commonly used alongside other ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 31 standards and normative references such as ISO/IEC 646 (character set), ISO/IEC 19762 (AIDC harmonized vocabulary), ISO/IEC 21778 (JSON data interchange syntax), ISO/IEC 20248 (digital signature data structure schema), ANS MH10.8.2 (data/application identifiers), ANS X12 (EDI) and CII syntax rules. It is part of the AIDC family of standards and is used together with related standards for RFID, barcode symbologies and application identifiers (for example ISO/IEC 15418 and other SC31 deliverables).

Keywords

automatic identification, ADC, high-capacity ADC media, transfer syntax, message format, RFID, 2D symbol, smart card, data identifiers, application identifiers, ISO/IEC 15434

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC 15434:2025 is an international standard that defines the syntax, transfer structure and coding rules for high-capacity automatic data capture (ADC) media to enable consistent multi-field data exchange.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers message/container structure, character encoding rules (subset of ISO/IEC 646 and referenced modern interchange syntaxes), field delimiters and coding conventions for encoding multi-field data on ADC media (e.g., 2D symbols, RFID, smart cards), and references to data identifier schemes and optional integrity/signature mechanisms.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Logistics and supply-chain organizations, system integrators, barcode/RFID hardware and software vendors, label/tag producers, EDI and middleware developers, and standards/compliance teams implementing interoperable ADC solutions.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current. ISO/IEC 15434:2025 was published on 9 January 2025 (Edition 5) and supersedes earlier editions, including ISO/IEC 15434:2019 which was withdrawn when the 2025 edition was published.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. It is part of the ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 31 family of automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) standards and is typically used together with related standards such as ISO/IEC 19762, ISO/IEC 15418, ISO/IEC 20248 and other SC31 deliverables.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Automatic identification, high-capacity ADC, transfer syntax, message format, RFID, 2D symbol, data identifiers, application identifiers, ISO/IEC 15434.