ISO/IEC 24789-1:2012

INTERNATIONAL ISO/IEC
STANDARD 24789-1
First edition
2012-04-15
Identification cards — Card service life —
Part 1:
Application profiles and requirements
Cartes d'identification — Durée de vie des cartes —
Partie 1: Profils d'application et exigences

Reference number
©
ISO/IEC 2012
©  ISO/IEC 2012
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
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Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword . iv
Introduction . v
1  Scope . 1
2  Normative references . 1
3  Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 1
3.1  Terms and definitions . 1
3.2  Abbreviated terms . 2
4  Card applications and their profiles . 2
4.1  Determination of the application profile . 2
4.2  Determination of the aging and usage classes . 7
5  Determination of the evaluation regime . 7
5.1  General . 7
5.2  Evaluation regime using stand alone methods . 8
5.3  Evaluation regime using evaluation sequences . 9
Annex A (informative) Example application profiles . 15
Annex B (informative) Example evaluation regimes . 44

© ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved iii

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical
Commission) form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are members of
ISO or IEC participate in the development of International Standards through technical committees
established by the respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical activity. ISO and IEC
technical committees collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international organizations, governmental
and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the work. In the field of information
technology, ISO and IEC have established a joint technical committee, ISO/IEC JTC 1.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of the joint technical committee is to prepare International Standards. Draft International
Standards adopted by the joint technical committee are circulated to national bodies for voting. Publication as
an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the national bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO and IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO/IEC 24789-1 was prepared by Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology,
Subcommittee SC 17, Cards and personal identification.
ISO/IEC 24789 consists of the following parts, under the general title Identification cards — Card service life:
 Part 1: Application profiles and requirements
 Part 2: Methods of evaluation
iv © ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved

Introduction
This part of ISO/IEC 24789 comprises a methodology for determining application profiles, their requirements
and corresponding examples.
These application profiles and requirements are intended to guide the reader of this part of ISO/IEC 24789 on
the comparative rigour of various ID card service life applications. These profiles and requirements provide a
means for ranking and comparing the main factors affecting ID card service life in a manner that is suitable for
evaluation using the methods defined or referenced in ISO/IEC 24789-2.
In order to accommodate existing cards, the simplest class uses, at least, characteristics and criteria defined
in ISO/IEC 7810 and test method equipment and procedures defined in ISO/IEC 10373-1. Two types of cards
are taken into account, cards that contain an integrated circuit and cards that do not contain an integrated
circuit.
Although the equipment and parts of the procedures of certain ISO/IEC 10373-1 test methods are referenced
for employment in the simulation of aging or usage in ISO/IEC 24789, such references are clearly
distinguished from the normal use of ISO/IEC 10373-1. In normal use, these ISO/IEC 10373-1 test methods
are applied to determine conformity to ISO/IEC 7810 and do not explicitly address application-specific
requirements for card service life.
Due to a lack of field/laboratory correlation data, only limited acceptance criteria (normative application profiles
and requirements) can be provided in the 2010 edition of this part of ISO/IEC 24789. However, it is anticipated
that a more comprehensive set of values for acceptance levels will be available in future editions.
At the time of publishing this first edition, there is limited data to show direct equivalence to any measure of
actual field use conditions. It will not be possible to establish any such equivalence until and unless a degree
of quantitative correlation has been established for the ID card construction in question.
For the convenience of certain users, non-SI equivalents are given for some quantity values where these are
in common use in the ID card industry. These equivalents appear in parenthesis and are for information only.

© ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved v

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO/IEC 24789-1:2012(E)

Identification cards — Card service life —
Part 1:
Application profiles and requirements
1 Scope
This part of ISO/IEC 24789 comprises a methodology for determining application profiles, their requirements
and corresponding examples. It contains no additional or changed requirements for the ID card properties
defined in other applicable standards. It seeks to define the relative rigour of each application defined herein in
terms of a set of simple but justifiable methods of evaluation.
The purpose of ISO/IEC 24789 is to provide guidance on methods and their use to simulate a card's service
life. In order to achieve this purpose, two parameters of card service life are defined: age and usage. This can
be represented as a two-dimensional matrix in which each age/usage combination corresponds to a card
service life class. The two parts of ISO/IEC 24789 together describe the evaluation methods to be used and
their criteria.
ISO/IEC 24789 was originally developed for ID-1 cards conforming to ISO/IEC 7810, but might be found
useful in whole or in part for other types and form factors.
References are given to the corresponding methods of evaluation in ISO/IEC 24789-2 and elsewhere.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO/IEC 7810, Identification cards — Physical characteristics
ISO/IEC 10373-1, Identification cards — Test methods — Part 1: General characteristics
ISO/IEC 10373-2, Identification cards — Test methods — Part 2: Cards with magnetic stripes
ISO/IEC 24789-2, Identification cards — Card service life — Part 2: Methods of evaluation
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms, definitions and abbreviated terms given in ISO/IEC 7810,
ISO/IEC 10373-1, ISO/IEC 10373-2, ISO/IEC 24789-2 and the following apply.
© ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved 1

3.1.1
card service life
CSL
period of time and usage for which a card retains the set of characteristics specified for its application under
the conditions of use specified for that application from the time it is issued to the card holder
3.1.2
application profile
set of parameters that, in total, define the conditions of use specified for an application
3.1.3
evaluation regime
set of evaluation methods, together with their manner of combination and application
3.2 Abbreviated terms
ATM Automated Teller Machine
IC Integrated Circuit
PICC Proximity Integrated Circuit Card
VICC Vicinity Integrated Circuit Card
4 Card applications and their profiles
4.1 Determination of the application profile
4.1.1 Raw application profile
Three variables are used to establish the raw application profile. These are:
 environment;
 storage;
 reader profile.
Raw application profiles have two parameters:
 age (A);
 usage (U).
NOTE Age is the time dependent parameter and usage is the stress dependent parameter (see 4.2).
To determine the application profile, define the environmental, storage and reader factors in Table 1, Table 2
and Table 3 respectively by defining the probability for each condition in the column “Probability p”. The sum
of probabilities for each factor shall be 1.
Next, for each condition with a probability greater than 0, calculate the age points in column “Age points” by
multiplying the value in the column “Age” with the probability p in the column “Probability p”. Then calculate
the usage points in columns “Usage points” by multiplying the value in the column “Usage” with the probability
p in the column “Probability p”.
Then, calculate the sum A of all age points and the sum U of all usage points. This pair of values (A, U) is the
raw application profile for the application.
2 © ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved

Table 1 — Environmental factors
Factor Condition Age Usage Probability p Age points Usage points Examples
of condition (p x age) (p x usage) and
(sum=1) guidance
Temperature Normal (5°C to 0 0
30°C)
Low (below 1 0
5°C)
High (30°C to 2 0
50°C)
Very high 5 0
(above 50°C)
Temperature changes <=1 per week 0 0
(transition between
> 1 per week 2 0,6
any two of the above
and <=1 per
temperature ranges)
day
> 1 per day 3 0,9
and <=3 per
day
>3 per day 5 1,5
Relative humidity Normal 0 0
(30% - 70%)
Dry (< 30%) 1 0
Humid 3 0
(> 70%)
Daylight None 0 0    Normally carried
in a wallet or a
bag.
Indoor 1 0    Worn visibly as
an ID badge
indoors.
Outdoor 5 0    Worn visibly as
an ID badge
outdoors, e.g. at
a building site or
as a ski-pass.
Chemicals and Low 0 0    Residential,
particulate exposure office or retail
(e.g. sand and dust, environment.
oils and fats,
Medium 2 0    Light factory
corrosive gases, salt)
environment;
outdoor ID badge
usage.
High 5 0    Car repair or
heavy factory
environment.
Sum (A, U)
© ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved 3

Table 2 — Storage factors
Factor Condition Age Usage Probability p Age points Usage points Examples
of condition (p x age) (p x usage) and
(sum=1) guidance
Physical stress None 0 0    Hard plastic
(bending) holder.
Low 0 1    Wallet in purse
or handbag;
inserted in
reader in vehicle.
Medium 0 2    Multiple cards
stacked in soft
plastic holder or
wallet in trouser
pocket.
High 0 5    Multiple cards
shingled in wallet
in trouser pocket;
single card loose
or in paper
sleeve or in soft
plastic holder in
pocket or bag.
Physical stress None 0 0    Card always
(friction) remains in
holder, e.g.
PICC.
Low 1 0    Wallet in purse
or handbag;
cards stacked in
holder or wallet;
paper sleeve.
Medium 2 0    Hard plastic
holder; cards
shingled in
holder or wallet;
wallet in trouser
pocket; soft
plastic holder.
High 5 0    Inserted in
reader in vehicle;
loose in pocket
or bag.
Physical stress None 0 0    Hard plastic
(compression) holder.
Low 0 1    Wallet in purse
or handbag;
cards stacked in
holder or wallet;
inserted in
reader in vehicle.
Medium 0 2    Multiple cards
shingled in
holder or wallet;
wallet in trouser
pocket.
High 0 5    Loose in bag or
pocket.
Sum (A, U)
4 © ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved

Table 3 — Reader factors
Factor Condition Age Usage Probability p Age points Usage points Examples
of condition (p x age) (p x usage) and
(sum=1) guidance
Physical stress None 0 0    PICC or VICC
(bending, e.g. reader.
pressure by roller))
Low 0 1    Magnetic stripe
or contact IC
card reader with
straight insertion
path; motorized
ATM reader with
rollers running
over the card.
Medium 0 2    Contact IC card
reader with bent
a)
insertion path .
High 0 3    Magnetic stripe
swipe reader;
poor ergonomics
of the reader
location resulting
in bending of the
card during
insertion/withdra
wal; rough
mechanical
handling.
Physical stress None 0 0    PICC or VICC
(friction) reader;
motorized card
reader; low
friction insertion
readers.
Low 0 1    Low friction
insertion readers;
magnetic stripe
swipe reader,
where
construction and
installation
prevent bending
of the card.
Medium 0 2    Medium friction
insertion readers,
e.g. with
clamping device
for in-car use.
High 0 3    Magnetic stripe
swipe reader,
where
construction or
installation
results in
bending of the
card.
© ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved 5

Table 3 (continued)
Factor Condition Age Usage Probability p Age points Usage points Examples
of condition (p x age) (p x usage) and
(sum=1) guidance
Physical stress None 0 0    Insertion
(impact, e.g. pressing readers;
the card against a motorized
contactless reader) readers; VICC
readers; most
PICC readers.
Low 0 1    Magnetic stripe
swipe reader.
Medium 0 2    PICC reader in
public transport
gate
applications.
High 0 3    Rough
mechanical
handling.
Reader contamination None 0 0    Most office,
(resulting in deposits retail, bank and
inside the reader other
causing abrasion) environments.
Low 1 0    Insertion or
swipe reader
installed in
dusty/sandy/oily
environment with
good
maintenance and
a low level of
transactions.
Medium 2 0    Insertion or
swipe reader
installed in
dusty/sandy/oily
environment with
poor
maintenance or a
high level of
transactions.
High 3 0    Reader installed
in
dusty/sandy/oily
environment or
outdoors, with
poor
maintenance and
a high level of
transactions.
Sum (A, U)
a)
A bent insertion path can result both from construction of the reader as well as placement of the reader, resulting in the card being
bent at the insertion slot during insertion or withdrawal.

6 © ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved

4.1.2 Corrected application profile
The usage frequency and the card lifetime in the field have a strong impact on the various stresses the card
will have to withstand. The age coefficient (the expected card service life in years (at least 1)) and the usage
coefficient (number of uses per day + 1) shall be applied to the raw application profile (A, U) to give a
corrected application profile (A , U ) as follows:
c c
 A = A × the expected card service life in years (at least 1);
c
= U × (number of uses per day + 1).
 U
c
4.2 Determination of the aging and usage classes
Determine the corrected application profile (A , U ), as specified in 4.1. Then check the A value against
c c c
Table 4 to determine the aging class of the application. Then check the U value against Table 5 to determine
c
the usage class of the application.
Table 4 — Application aging class
A value Aging class
c
0 – 10 0
> 10 – 20 1
> 20 – 50 2
> 50 3
Table 5 — Application usage class
U value Usage class
c
0 – 10 A
> 10 – 20 B
> 20 – 50 C
> 50 D
5 Determination of the evaluation regime
5.1 General
Once the application profile has been specified, it is necessary to define the evaluations to be performed.
Two kinds of evaluation regime may be used to evaluate card service life:
 stand alone methods;
 evaluation sequences.
Stand alone methods are performed on card samples and the results are directly interpreted as an indication
of the card's performance.
An evaluation sequence comprises a sequence of aging and usage simulation methods followed by a set of
evaluation methods to determine an indication of the card's performance after exposure.
5.2 and 5.3 define evaluation regimes comprising sets of stand alone methods and evaluation sequences,
respectively.
© ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved 7

Only one of these evaluation regimes shall be selected in each case, in accordance with the guidance
provided.
5.2 Evaluation regime using stand alone methods
This evaluation regime shall only be used when the following three conditions are met:
 the aging class is zero or one;
 the cards do not contain an IC;
 the cards are not embossed.
The evaluation methods given in Table 6, Table 7 and Table 8 may be used for all such cards.
Table 6 — ID card flexure to produce curvature of the width of the card in accordance with 5.10 of
ISO/IEC 24789-2 – Minimum cycles to stopping point
Aging class
0 1
A No requirement No requirement
B No requirement 10 000
Usage class
C 10 000 25 000
D 25 000 80 000
NOTE Flexure to produce curvature of the width (B) axis is known in some parts of the industry as “A Flex”

Table 7 — ID card flexure to produce curvature of the height of the card in accordance with 5.10 of
ISO/IEC 24789-2 - Minimum cycles to stopping point
Aging class
0 1
A No requirement No requirement
B No requirement 5 000
Usage class
C 5 000 12 500
D 12 500 40 000
NOTE Flexure to produce curvature of the height (A) axis is known in some parts of the industry as “B Flex”

Table 8 — Temperature and humidity aging followed by peel strength in accordance with 5.11 of
ISO/IEC 24789-2 - Minimum peel strength values (N/mm)
Aging class
0 1
A No requirement No requirement
B No requirement 0,35 (2,00 lb /in)
f
Usage class
C 0,35 (2,00 lb /in) 0,70 (4,00 lb /in)
f f
D 0,70 (4,00 lb /in) 1,00 (5,71 lb /in)
f f
NOTE 1 The duration of exposure to temperature and humidity aging shall be 168 hours.
NOTE 2 Where the peel strength test fails to separate the card layers, the result exceeds the minimum requirement.
8 © ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved

5.2.1 Cards that have magnetic stripes
The following evaluation method shall only be used for cards bearing a magnetic stripe.
Table 9 — Magnetic stripe abrasion in accordance with 5.3 of ISO/IEC 24789-2 - Minimum abrasion
cycles while U > 0,70 U
A A initial
Aging class
0 1
A No Requirement 100
B 100 200
Usage class
C 200 300
D 300 500
5.2.2 Cards with surface printing and security devices
The following evaluation methods shall only be used for cards that have personalisation, printing, security
devices and similar artifacts at or near the surface of the cards.
Table 10 — Surface abrasion in accordance with 5.2 of ISO/IEC 24789-2 - Minimum cycles to stopping
point
Aging class
0 1
A No Requirement 50
B 50 300
Usage class
C 300 600
D 600 1 000
Table 11 — Delamination – Cross cut tape test in accordance with 5.12 of ISO/IEC 24789-2 - Maximum
grade 0 – 5 (0 = best)
Aging class
0 1
Usage class A 4 4
B 4 3
C 3 1
D 1 0
5.3 Evaluation regime using evaluation sequences
The following evaluation regime may be used in all cases.
It shall be used in cases where the use of stand alone methods is not permissible i.e. where any of the
following conditions are met:
 the aging class is 2 or 3;
© ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved 9

 the card contains an IC;
 the card is embossed.
5.3.1 Designing a sequential evaluation of aging
The following defines the sequential test model and the method for designing the minimum sequence.
Sample cards of the type to be evaluated
Simulated service life
Sequence of
“As new” cards
simulation methods
for comparison
selected according to the
with “end of
application profile. Repeated
service life”.
according to aging and usage
cards.
class
(optional)
Tests for conformity to
application requirements for
“end of service life” cards, which
may include comparison with
“as new” cards that have not
experienced a simulated service
life
Figure 1 — Generic aging evaluation sequence
Simulated service life sequences consist of a number of simulation cycles that include at least:
 aging simulation methods (e.g. temperature and humidity exposure, resistance to chemicals);
 usage simulation methods (e.g. dynamic bending stress).
These may be selected from the evaluation methods given in ISO/IEC 24789-2 or adapted from relevant card
testing standards. Usage simulation methods like dynamic bending stress shall always be applied at the end
of an aging cycle.
If no such methods are selected the simulation cycle shall comprise at least:
 temperature and humidity aging;
 dynamic bending stress.
10 © ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved

The total number of bending cycles and the exposure time for temperature and humidity aging shall be taken
from Table 12 in accordance with the aging class and the usage class:
Table 12 — Minimum simulated service life sequence
Aging class (= number of simulation cycles)
0 1 2 3
A 1500 cycles 2000 cycles 2400 cycles
48 h 96 h 144 h
There is no
requirement for
B 2500 cycles 3000 cycles 3600 cycles
embossed or IC
48 h 96 h 144 h
Usage class cards. See 5.2 for
C 3500 cycles 4000 cycles 4500 cycles
all other cards
48 h 96 h 144 h
with aging class
0.
D 4500 cycles 5000 cycles 5400 cycles
48 h 96 h 144 h
The number of bending cycles for a single simulation cycle shall be the total number from the table divided by
the aging class.
The temperature and humidity aging time for a single simulation cycle shall be the total storage time from the
table divided by the aging class.
The evaluation sequence shall include at least:
 visual evaluation (e.g. recognisability);
 verification that the machine readable functions of the card are preserved (e.g. the card is testably
functional according to ISO/IEC 10373, or the card operates as intended according to ISO/IEC 14443)
or are as specified elsewhere for the product;
 verification of physical integrity (e.g. peel test).
5.3.2 Select the tests
Refer to Table 13 and Table 14 to select the tests for card service life evaluation according to the technology
and the application. They may be used stand-alone if not used for the aging part of the sequence.
Select at least one conformity test from Table 14.
NOTE Careful account should be taken of the conditions of the application before deciding on the appropriate set of
tests as not all tests check marked may be suitable or necessary for specific applications.
© ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved 11

Table 13 — Available tests for different card technologies
Card has:
Document Test name Personalisation Embossing Magnetic Integrated Contactless Dual Optical
reference layer stripe circuit(s) IC interface memory
(IC) with
contacts
Aging
simulation
methods:
ISO/IEC Xenon arc
24789-2 light       
exposure
ISO/IEC Surface
      
24789-2 abrasion
ISO/IEC Magnetic
24789-2 stripe       
abrasion
ISO/IEC Plasticised
      
24789-2 vinyl storage
ISO/IEC Wear and
      
24789-2 soil test
ISO/IEC Temperature
24789-2 and humidity       
aging
ISO/IEC Temperature
      
24789-2 shock
ISO/IEC Temperature
24789-2 and humidity       
cycling
Usage
simulation
methods:
ISO/IEC Dynamic
10373-1 bending      
stress
ISO/IEC ID-1 card
      
24789-2 flexure
ISO/IEC IC-module
     
24789-2 adhesion
ISO/IEC Mechanical
10373-1:2006 strength - 3      
/AMD 1:2008 wheel test
ISO/IEC Shortened
    
24789-2 bendings
Tests for
conformity:
ISO/IEC Delamination
      
10373-1 90 °
ISO/IEC Cross-cut
 
24789-2 test
ISO/IEC Magnetic
10373-2 stripe   
adhesion
NOTE 1 If the card is exposed to vibration as a major factor in the application profile, ensure methods testing resistance against vibrational stress, e.g.
the wear and soil test, are included in the test sequence.
NOTE 2 The shortened bendings method is listed here for information only. It is described in an informative Annex in ISO/IEC 24789-2.
12 © ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved

Table 14 — Available tests and their suitability for conformity testing, aging simulation, usage
simulation and stand alone testing
c)
Document Method name Conformity Aging simulation Usage Stand alone test
a) d)
reference testing simulation
ISO/IEC 10373-1 Dimensions of
cards (returned   
card criteria)
ISO/IEC 10373-1 Card warpage
(returned card   
criteria)
ISO/IEC 24789-2 Cross-cut test
  
b)
ISO/IEC 24789-2 Xenon arc light
  
b) e)
exposure
ISO/IEC 24789-2 Surface
  
b)
abrasion
ISO/IEC 24789-2 Magnetic stripe
  
b)
abrasion
ISO/IEC 24789-2 IC-module
  
b)
adhesion
ISO/IEC 24789-2 Plasticised

b)
vinyl storage
ISO/IEC 24789-2 Wear and soil

b)
test
ISO/IEC 24789-2 Temperature
and humidity 
b)
aging
ISO/IEC 24789-2 Temperature

b)
shock
ISO/IEC 24789-2 Temperature
and humidity 
b)
cycling
ISO/IEC 24789-2 Shortened
 
b) f)
bendings
ISO/IEC 10373-1 Dynamic
bending stress   
b)
ISO/IEC 24789-2 ID-1 card
  
b)
flexure
ISO/IEC 10373-1: Mechanical
AM1:2009 strength - 3   
b) f)
wheel test
ISO/IEC 10373-1 Testably

(definition) functional
Visual

g)
examination
ISO/IEC 10373-1 Peel strength
  
b)
ISO/IEC 10373-1 Resistance to
chemicals
 
(artificial
b)
perspiration)
© ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved 13

Table 14 (continued)
c)
Document Method name Conformity Aging simulation Usage Stand alone test
a) d)
reference testing simulation
ISO/IEC 10373-1 Resistance to
chemicals (fuel  
b) h)
B)
NOTE The shortened bendings method is listed here for information only. It is described in an informative Annex in ISO/IEC 24789-2.
a)
Test is suitable for use where there is to be comparison with “as new” cards
b)
Test is destructive so two different sets of cards will be required if there is to be comparison with “as new” cards.
c)
Test is suitable for aging cycle(s)
d)
Test parameters depending on usage class
e) Special test cards may be required to allow testing of a sufficient area of colour. Furthermore, applications may wish to place
different weightings on different colours or security printed elements in specified locations on the card.
f)
If the IC does not lie within the contact area defined in ISO/IEC 7816-2 then neither of these applies.
g)
To be defined between test lab and customer
h)
Fuel B exposure is to be included in the sequence only when the application specifically requires exposure to petroleum
.
distillates
5.3.3 Establish the test sequence parameters
Determine the required test sequence parameters as illustrated by the example(s) shown in Annex B.
5.3.4 Perform the tests
Perform the resulting number of simulation cycles. The number of simulation cycles is equal to the aging class
as shown in Table 4.
After completing the full number of simulation cycles, evaluate the condition of the cards using the specified
method(s). Evaluations may be done after each simulation cycle if desired but this will require a greater
number of test cards if the evaluation method is destructive.
14 © ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved

Annex A
(informative)
Example application profiles
The following examples are supplied to show how application profiles are calculated. The examples are based
on assumptions, which may not be appropriate for a specific application. The reader should select
probabilities representative for their specific application.
A.1 Example profile - healthcare card
The following example is supplied to show how application profiles are calculated. The example is based on
assumptions, which may not be appropriate for a specific application. The reader should select probabilities
representative for their specific application.
The underlying assumptions for the following application profile calculation are:
 projected lifetime of 5 years;
 used once every 10 days;
 IC card with contacts.
Table A.1 — Environmental factors for the healthcare card
Factor Condition Age Usage Probability p Age Usage Examples
of condition points points and
guidance
(sum = 1) (p x age) (p x usage)
Temperature Normal 0 0 0,8 0 0
(5°C to 30°C)
Low 1 0 0,1 0,1 0
(below 5°C)
High 2 0 0,1 0,2 0
(30°C to 50°C)
Very high 5 0
(above 50°C)
Temperature <=1 per week 0 0 0,5 0 0
changes
> 1 per week and <=1 2 0,6 0,4 0,8 0,24
(transition between
per day
any two of the
above temperature
> 1 per day and <=3 3 0,9 0,1 0,3 0,09
ranges)
per day
>3 per day 5 1,5
Relative humidity Normal 0 0 0,9 0 0
(30 % to 70 %)
Dry 1 0 0,1 0,1 0
(< 30%)
Humid 3 0
(> 70 %)
© ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved 15

Table A.1 (continued)
Factor Condition Age Usage Probability p Age Usage Examples
of condition points points and
(sum = 1) (p x age) (p x usage) guidance
Daylight None 0 0 1 0 0 Normally
carried in a
wallet or a
bag.
Indoor 1 0
Worn visibly
as an ID
badge
indoors.
Outdoor 5 0    Worn visibly
as an ID
badge
outdoors, e.g.
at a building
site or as a
ski-pass.
Chemicals and Low 0 0 1 0 0 Residential,
particulate office or retail
exposure (e.g. environment.
sand and dust, oils
Medium 2 0    Light factory
and fats, corrosive
environment;
gases, salt)
outdoor ID
badge usag.e
High 5 0    Car repair or
heavy factory
environment.
Sum (A, U)     1,5 0,33
Table A.2 — Storage factors for the healthcare card
Factor Condition Age Usage Probability p Age Usage Examples
of condition points points and
(sum = 1) (p x age) (p x guidance
usage)
None 0 0    Hard plastic holder.
Physical stress
(bending)
Low 0 1 0,5 0 0,5
Wallet in purse or handbag;
inserted in reader in vehicle.
Medium 0 2 0,3 0 0,6 Multiple cards stacked in
holder or wallet in trouser
pocket.
High 0 5 0,2 0 1 Multiple cards shingled in
wallet in trouser pocket;
single card loose or in
paper sleeve or in soft
plastic holder in pocket or
bag.
Physical stress None 0 0 0,7 0 0 Card always remains in
(friction) holder, e.g. PICC.
Low 1 0 0,2 0,2 0 Wallet in purse or handbag;
cards stacked in holder or
wallet; paper sleeve.
Medium 2 0 0,1 0,2 0 Hard plastic holder; cards
shingled in holder or wallet;
wallet in trouser pocket; soft
plastic holder.
High 5 0    Inserted in reader in
vehicle, loose in pocket or
bag.
16 © ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved

Table A.2 (continued)
Factor Condition Age Usage Probability p Age Usage Examples
of condition points points and
(sum = 1) (p x age) (p x guidance
usage)
Physical stress None 0 0    Hard plastic holder.
(compression)
Low 0 1 0,4 0 0,4 Wallet in purse or handbag,
cards stacked in holder or
wallet; inserted in reader in
vehicle.
Medium 0 2 0,4 0 0,8 Multiple cards shingled in
holder or wallet; wallet in
trouser pocket.
High 0 5 0,2 0 1 Loose in bag or pocket.
Sum (A, U)     0,4 4,3
Table A.3 — Reader factors for the healthcare card
Factor Condition Age Usage Probability p Age Usage Examples
of condition points points and
(sum = 1) (p x age) (p x guidance
usage)
Physical stress None 0 0    PICC or VICC reader.
(bending, e.g.
Low 0 1 0,7 0 0,7 Magnetic stripe or contact
pressure by
IC card reader with straight
roller)
insertion path; motorized
ATM reader with rollers
running over the card.
Medium 0 2 0,3 0 0,6 Contact IC card reader with
bent insertion path.
High 0 3    Magnetic stripe swipe
reader; poor ergonomics of
the reader location resulting
in bending of the card
during insertion/withdrawal;
rough mechanical handling.
Physical stress None 0 0 0,8 0 0 PICC or VICC reader;
(friction) motorized card reader; low
friction insertion readers.
Low 0 1 0,2 0 0,2 Low friction insertion
readers; magnetic stripe
swipe reader, where
construction and installation
prevent bending of the card.
Medium 0 2    Medium friction insertion
readers, e.g. with clamping
device for in-car use.
High 0 3    Magnetic stripe swipe
reader where construction
or installation results in
bending of the card.
Physical stress None 0 0 1 0 0 Insertion readers; motorized
(impact, e.g. readers; VICC readers;
pressing the card most PICC readers.
against a
Low 0 1    Magnetic stripe swipe
contactless
reader.
reader)
Medium 0 2    PICC reader in public
transport gate-applications.
High 0 3
Rough mechanical
handling.
© ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved 17

Table A.3 (continued)
Factor Condition Age Usage Probability p Age Usage Examples
of condition points points and
(sum = 1) (p x age) (p x guidance
usage)
Reader None 0 0 0,8 0 0 Most office, retail, bank and
contamination other environments.
(resulting in
Low 1 0 0,2 0,2 0 Insertion or swipe reader
deposits inside
installed in dusty/sandy/oily
the reader
environment with good
causing
maintenance and a low
abrasion)
level of transactions.
Medium 2 0    Insertion or swipe reader
installed in dusty/sandy/oily
environment with poor
maintenance or a high level
of transactions.
High 3 0    Reader installed in
dusty/sandy/oily
environment or outdoors,
with poor maintenance and
a high level of transactions.
Sum (A, U)     0,2 1,5
The sum of environmental factors, storage factors and reader factors provides the raw application profile as
shown in Table A.4.
Table A.4 — Raw application profile for the healthcare card
Raw factors Age Usage
Environment 1,5 0,33
Storage 0,4 4,3
Reader 0,2 1,5
Sum A,U 2,1 6,13
Applying the age and usage correction factors corresponding to the expected lifetime and the frequency of
use and multiplying these values with the raw application profile factors calculates the corrected application
profile, as shown in Table A.5.
Table A.5 — Corrected application profile for the healthcare card
Correction factors Age Usage
Card service life [years] 5
Uses/day  0,1
Age coefficient 5
Usage coefficient  1,1
A , U 10,5 6,743
c c
The corrected application profile for the healthcare card application (A ,U ) is (1,A), written as 1A.
c c
18 © ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved

A.2 Example profile - national ID card
The following example is supplied to show how application profiles are calculated. The example is based on
assumptions, which may not be appropriate for a specific application. The reader should select probabilities
representative for their specific application.
The underlying assumptions for the following application profile calculation are:
 projected lifetime of 10 years;
 used once every day;
 dual interface card;
 primarily use of the contactless interface.
Table A.6 — Environmental factors for the national ID card
Factor Condition Age Usage Probability p Age Usage Examples
of condition points points and
(sum=1) (p x age) (p x usage) guidance
Temperature Normal (5°C to 0 0 0,8 0 0
30°C)
Low below 5°C) 1 0
High (30°C to 50°C) 2 0 0,2 0,4 0
Very high (above 5 0
50°C)
Temperature <=1 per week 0 0 0,9 0 0
changes
> 1 per week and 2 0,6 0,1 0,2 0,06
(transition
<=1 per day
between any
two of the
> 1 per day and 3 0,9
above
<=3 per day
temperature
ranges)
>3 per day 5 1,5
Relative Normal (30% to 0 0 0,8 0 0
humidity 70%)
Dry (< 30%) 1 0 0,05 0,05 0
Humid (> 70 %) 3 0 0,15 0,45 0
Daylight None 0 0 0,9 0 0 Normally carried in a
wallet or a bag.
Indoor 1 0 0,1 0,1 0 Worn visibly as an ID
badge indoors.
Outdoor 5 0    Worn visibly as an ID
badge outdoors, e.g. at
a building site or as a
ski-pass.
Chemicals Low 0 0 1 0 0 Residential, office or
and particulate retail environment.
exposure (e.g.
Medium 2 0    Light factory
sand and dust,
environment; outdoor ID
oils and fats,
badge usage.
corrosive
gases, salt)
High 5 0    Car repair or heavy
factory environment.
Sum (A, U)     1,2 0,06
© ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved 19

Table A.7 — Storage factors for the national ID card
Factor Condition Age Usage Probability p Age Usage Examples
of condition points points and
(sum=1) (p x age) (p x guidance
usage)
Physical stress None 0 0 0,1 0 0 Hard plastic holder.
(bending)
Low 0 1 0,25 0 0,25 Wallet in purse or
handbag; inserted in
reader in vehicle.
Medium 0 2 0,25 0 0,5 Multiple cards stacked in
holder or wallet in trouser
pocket.
High 0 5 0,4 0 2 Multiple cards shingled in
wallet in trouser pocket;
single card, loose or in
paper sleeve or in soft
plastic holder in pocket or
bag.
Physical stress None 0 0    Card always remains in
(friction) holder, e.g. PICC.
Low 1 0 0,5 0,5 0 Wallet in purse or
handbag; cards stacked in
holder or wallet; paper
sleeve.
Medium 2 0 0,5 1 0 Hard plastic holder; cards
shingled in holder or
wallet; wallet in trouser
pocket; soft plastic holder
High 5 0    Inserted in reader in
vehicle; loose in pocket or
bag.
Physical stress None 0 0    Hard plastic holder.
(compression)
Low 0 1 0,6 0 0,6 Wallet in purse or
handbag; cards stacked in
holder or wallet; inserted in
reader in vehicle.
Medium 0 2 0,2 0 0,4 Multiple cards shingled in
holder or wallet; wallet in
trouser pocket.
High 0 5 0,2  1 Loose in bag or pocket.
Sum (A, U)     1,5 4,75
20 © ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved

Table A.8 — Reader factors for the national ID card
Factor Condition Age Usage Probability p Age Usage Examples
of condition points points and
(sum=1) (p x age) (p x usage) guidance
Physical stress None 0 0 0,8 0 0 PICC or VICC reader.
(bending, e.g.
Low 0 1    Magnetic stripe or contact
pressure by roller)
IC card reader with straight
insertion path; motorized
ATM reader with rollers
running over the card.
Medium 0 2    Contact IC card reader with
bent insertion path.
High 0 3 0,2  0,6 Magnetic stripe swipe
reader; poor ergonomics of
the reader location resulting
in bending of the card during
insertion/withdrawal; rough
mechanical handling.
Physical stress None 0 0 1 0 0 PICC or VICC reader,
(friction) Motorized card reader; low
friction insertion readers.
Low 0 1    Low friction insertion
readers; magnetic stripe
swipe reader, where
construction and installation
prevent bending of the card.
Medium 0 2    Medium friction insertion
readers, e.g. with clamping
device for in-car use.
High 0 3    Magnetic stripe swipe
reader where construction
or installation results in
bending of the card.
Physical stress None 0 0 0,8 0 0 Insertion readers; motorized
(impact, e.g. readers; VICC readers;
pressing the card most PICC readers.
against a
Low 0 1    Magnetic stripe swipe
contactless reader)
reader.
Medium 0 2 0,2 0 0,4 PICC reader in public
transport gate-applications.
High 0 3    Rough mechanical handling.
Reader None 0 0 1 0 0 Most office, retail, bank and
contamination other environments.
(resulting in
Low 1 0    Insertion or swipe reader
deposits inside the
installed in dusty/sandy/oily
reader causing
environment with good
abrasion)
maintenance and a low level
of transactions.
Medium 2 0    Insertion or swipe reader
installed in dusty/sandy/oily
environment with poor
maintenance or a high level
of transactions.
High 3 0    Reader installed in
dusty/sandy/oily
environment or outdoors,
with poor maintenance and
a high level of transactions.
Sum (A, U)     0 1,0
© ISO/IEC 2012 – All rights reserved 21

The sum of environmental factors, storage factors and reader factors provides the raw application profile as
shown in Table A.9.
Table A.9 — Raw application profile for the national ID card
Raw factors Age Usage
Environment 1,2 0,06
Storage 1,5 4,75
Reader 0 1,0
Sum A, U 2,7 5,81
Applying the age and usage correction factors corresponding to the expected lifetime and the frequency of
use and multiplying these values with the raw application profile factors calculates the corrected application
profile, as shown in Table A.10.
Table A.10 — Corrected application profile for the national ID card
Correction factors Age Usage
Card service life [years] 10
Uses/day  1
Age coefficient 10
Usage coefficient  2
A , U 27 11,62
c c
The corrected application profile for the national ID card application (A ,U ) is (2,B), written as 2B.
c c
A.3 Example profile - transportation card
The following example is supplied to show how application profiles are calculated. The example is based on ass
...