ISO IEC 15457-1-2008 PDF

Full title and description

ISO/IEC 15457-1:2008 — Identification cards — Thin flexible cards — Part 1: Physical characteristics. This part of ISO/IEC 15457 defines the physical form, dimensions, tolerances and basic construction requirements for thin flexible cards (TFC) used in applications such as mass transit, tolling, car parks, vouchers and stored-value systems, taking into account human and machine handling during issuing and use.

Abstract

Thin flexible cards (TFC) are used to automate access to goods and services and may incorporate magnetic stripes, OCR, bar codes, contactless antennas or other recording techniques. ISO/IEC 15457-1:2008 specifies the minimum physical characteristics of TFC at two key points in the card life cycle: (1) at the point of loading into card-issuing equipment and (2) at the point of issue to the public. The standard identifies principal card sizes, dimensional tolerances, guidance on storage and environmental conditions, and machine/human handling considerations.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard; confirmed on review in 2024).
• Publication date: 2008 (ISO record: March 2008; IEC webstore entry lists 27 February 2008).
• Publisher: Joint publication by ISO and IEC (prepared by ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 17 — Cards and security devices for personal identification).
• ICS / categories: 35.240.15 (Identification cards and related devices).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2008).
• Number of pages: 34 pages.

Scope

This part specifies the physical characteristics and principal sizes for thin flexible cards intended for automated vending, access control and value-storage applications. It applies to cards both in reel/fan-fold presentations (as loaded into issuing equipment) and as finished cards issued to end users. The standard covers dimensional limits, card geometry, permissible local overthickness (for embedded chips), positioning marks and holes, and gives guidance for storage and environmental conditions to ensure cards meet requirements through issuing and expected in-service life.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of principal card sizes and dimensional tolerances (including considerations for reel-presented cards and cut-from-reel tolerances).
• Nominal card thickness and limits for local overthickness due to embedded chips (overthickness ≤ 200 μm relative to nominal thickness).
• Designated zones for antenna and chip placement and forbidden areas for thermal printing; guidance for fan-fold and reel presentations.
• Requirements for positioning holes and printed positioning marks used during card processing.
• Guidance on storage, conditioning and expected card life before and after issue (minimum conformance periods under specified storage/operational conditions) and environmental test conditions tied to the test-methods part of the series.

Typical use and users

Primary users are card manufacturers, personalization and issuing equipment vendors, transport and toll system operators, transit authorities, vending/loyalty program operators, system integrators and independent testing laboratories. The standard is used during card design, material selection, production quality control, equipment interfacing (feeding/dispensing) and acceptance testing for issued cards.

Related standards

ISO/IEC 15457 is a multi‑part series; other parts include ISO/IEC 15457-2 (magnetic recording techniques) and ISO/IEC 15457-3 (test methods). ISO/IEC 15457-1 is also used alongside general ID-card physical standards such as ISO/IEC 7810 and contactless-specific physical requirements (for example ISO/IEC 14443 series) and the relevant test-method standards for card properties.

Keywords

Thin flexible card, TFC, identification card, physical characteristics, dimensions, card thickness, antenna location, chip overthickness, positioning hole, reel presentation, card issuing equipment, ISO/IEC 15457.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC 15457-1:2008 is Part 1 of the ISO/IEC 15457 series and defines the physical characteristics and dimensional requirements for thin flexible identification cards used in automated access and payment systems.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers principal card sizes, tolerances, nominal thickness and allowable local overthickness (e.g., due to embedded chips), placement zones for antennas/chips, positioning marks/holes, and guidance on storage and environmental conditions at loading and at issue.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Card manufacturers, personalization/issuance equipment suppliers, transit and toll operators, system integrators and conformity/test laboratories use this standard for design, production control and acceptance testing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO/IEC 15457-1:2008 (Edition 2) is the current published edition of Part 1; the earlier 2001 edition was withdrawn and replaced by the 2008 edition. The 2008 edition was reviewed and confirmed in ISO’s periodic reviews (confirmed in 2024).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. ISO/IEC 15457 is a series for thin flexible cards; the main companion parts are Part 2 (magnetic recording techniques) and Part 3 (test methods). Implementers should consult the other parts for encoding and testing procedures.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Thin flexible card, TFC, identification card, dimensions, thickness, antenna placement, chip placement, reel presentation, card issuing, ISO/IEC 15457.