ISO/IEC 7810:2019/Amd 1:2024

Overview

ISO/IEC 7810:2019/Amd 1:2024 is an important amendment to the international standard ISO/IEC 7810:2019, focusing on the physical characteristics of identification cards, specifically adding requirements for integrated circuit (IC) cards with contacts. This amendment addresses critical aspects concerning the durability, surface profile, mechanical strength, electrical resistance, and electromagnetic compatibility of contact-based IC cards, ensuring reliable operation and interoperability in various identification and access control applications.

Key Topics

• Physical Requirements for IC Cards
  This amendment mandates that an ID-1 card, after embedding an integrated circuit with contacts, must meet specific physical criteria regarding surface flatness and structural integrity. These requirements ensure that IC cards maintain their form and functionality under normal usage conditions.

• Surface Profile of Contacts
  The standard specifies a strict tolerance for the contact surface profile: no point on the IC contact surface should deviate more than 0.10 mm above or below the adjacent card surface. This flatness ensures consistent electrical contact when inserted into a reader and reduces wear over time.

• Mechanical Strength
  Designed for everyday use, the card must resist damage to its surface and internal components. The contacts should withstand pressure from a 1 mm diameter steel ball applying 1.5 N force without damage. The IC must continue to operate correctly, evidenced by a proper Answer to Reset (ATR) response after the test.

• Electrical Resistance of Contacts
  The amendment sets expectations for low electrical resistance between card contacts and the reader, which is essential for reliable signal transmission and to prevent data errors in communication.

• Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Protection
  For cards that include a magnetic stripe, the integration of the IC must not impair the operation of either technology. After reading, writing, or erasing the magnetic stripe, the IC must still function reliably and vice versa, ensuring that the electromagnetic interactions between these components do not cause malfunctions.

Applications

This amendment has practical significance for manufacturers and issuers of contact-based smart cards used across various sectors including:

• Banking and Finance: Credit and debit cards with secure IC chips requiring physical durability and reliable contact performance.
• Government and Public Services: National ID cards and driver’s licenses incorporating contact chips for secure identification.
• Access Control: Employee badges and security passes that integrate contact chips for authentication without compromising magnetic stripe functionality.
• Telecommunications: SIM cards embedded into phone cards where mechanical robustness and electrical reliability are critical.
• Transport and Ticketing: Contact IC cards used in fare collection systems, where surface integrity and interoperability with magnetic stripes are crucial.

Related Standards

ISO/IEC 7810:2019/Amd 1:2024 aligns with and supplements several key international standards, including:

• ISO/IEC 7810: Base standard for physical characteristics of identification cards.
• ISO/IEC 10373-1: Testing methods for identification cards, relevant for assessing compliance with physical and mechanical requirements.
• ISO/IEC 7816: Specifications for integrated circuit cards with contacts, covering electrical interfaces and communication protocols.
• ISO/IEC 14443 and 15693: For contactless IC cards, complementing standards for magnetic stripe and contact card technologies.

Keywords: ISO/IEC 7810 amendment, identification cards physical characteristics, integrated circuit cards with contacts, IC card durability, magnetic stripe interference, contact IC card standards, card mechanical strength, contact surface flatness, electrical resistance in IC cards, electromagnetic compatibility in smart cards.