SIST ETS 300 767 E1:2003

SIST ETS 300 767 E1:2003 is the Slovenian adoption of ETS 300 767 Edition 1 from ETSI, Human Factors. It specifies a common tactile identifier for machine-readable ID-1 telephone prepayment cards and GSM SIMs, so users can orient and insert the card correctly. The standard is aimed at card designers, terminal manufacturers, testers, and organizations serving blind and visually impaired users.

What does SIST ETS 300 767 E1:2003 specify?

SIST ETS 300 767 E1:2003 specifies the form, dimensions, position, and verification of a standard tactile identifier for telephone prepayment cards and SIMs that must be inserted in a specific orientation. In practice, it defines one common edge indentation so the card can be recognized by touch and handled consistently.

The document is organized into a foreword, introduction, and seven clauses:

• Clause 1 covers scope.
• Clause 2 lists normative references.
• Clause 3 gives definitions and abbreviations.
• Clause 4 states the functional requirements for the tactile identifier.
• Clause 5 gives the form, dimensions, and position.
• Clause 6 covers conformance testing.
• Clause 7 covers labelling and packaging.

The scope focuses on machine-readable ID-1 cards used in telecommunications, especially telephone prepayment cards and GSM SIMs. It also points readers to the physical card standards and the SIM interface standard that the card must already follow.

What are the key requirements of SIST ETS 300 767 E1:2003?

SIST ETS 300 767 E1:2003 is centered on a single tactile identifier design: an edge indentation on the right-hand short edge of the card. The main practical point is that the card should feel and orient the same way across products, without interfering with reading or handling.

Functional requirements in Clause 4

Clause 4 says the identifier should:

• be easy to feel by touch, including for elderly, blind, and visually impaired users;
• be easy to see for users without visual impairment;
• be placed asymmetrically so card orientation is unambiguous;
• be chosen using user testing;
• remain compatible with existing ID-1 card standards;
• avoid interference with magnetic stripes, IC contacts, and card-feeding or swipe-reader mechanisms.

In practice, this means the identifier must help people find the correct insertion direction without making the card harder to read by existing terminals.

Form, size, and position in Clause 5

Clause 5 defines the standard tactile identifier as a segment-shaped edge indentation with a stated depth and radius, positioned on the right-hand short edge. The location is fixed relative to the lower long edge and the short edge, and the corners are rounded to reduce the risk of injury.

This matters because the geometry is what makes the tactile cue consistent and recognizable across cards and terminals.

Conformance and presentation

Clause 6 says no special measurement procedure is needed for the tactile identifier itself; ISO 7810 procedures for ID-1 card physical characteristics are used for checking conformance. Clause 7 says no special labelling or packaging is required, but instructional figures should clearly show the indentation.

For users and issuers, this means verification stays close to normal card inspection, while instructions should make the tactile feature obvious.

What terms does SIST ETS 300 767 E1:2003 define?

• ID-1 card - A standard-sized personal identification card used as the base card format in this ETS.
• Machine readable card (MRC) - An ID-1 card that stores information in magnetic or electronic form and can be read by a device.
• Tactile identifier - A physical marking on the card, such as an edge indentation, that can be recognized by touch.
• Telephone prepayment card - A prepaid ID-1 card with telephone tariff units stored in machine-readable form.
• Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) - An ID-1 card with an integrated circuit used in GSM mobile equipment to identify a subscriber.
• Thin Flexible Card (TFC-1) - A machine-readable card with ID-1 dimensions but thinner and flexible.
• Personal Identification Number (PIN) - A secret multi-digit security number used to authenticate use of a machine readable ID-1 card.

Who uses SIST ETS 300 767 E1:2003?

SIST ETS 300 767 E1:2003 is used by people and organizations working with telephone prepayment cards, GSM SIMs, and card-operated terminals. Typical users include card manufacturers, telecom equipment designers, human factors specialists, test laboratories, and quality managers.

They use it to choose a tactile card feature, check that it does not interfere with magnetic or contact-based card reading, and confirm that the card can be oriented and inserted correctly. It is also relevant when preparing user instructions for people who need a touch-based cue.

Which standards are used with SIST ETS 300 767 E1:2003?

• ISO 7810 - Gives the physical characteristics of ID-1 cards and the measurement procedures used for conformance checking.
• ISO 7811-4 - Defines the location of read-only magnetic tracks 1 and 2.
• ISO 7811-5 - Defines the location of the read-write magnetic track 3.
• ISO 7816-2 - Defines the dimensions and location of contacts on integrated circuit cards.
• ETS 300 608 (GSM 11.11) - Defines the SIM - ME interface and the SIM card context used in this ETS.
• ETR 165 - Provides the human-factors recommendation and user-trial basis for the tactile identifier.

What does the SIST ETS 300 767 E1:2003 document contain?

The document contains a fixed geometry for the tactile identifier, shown in a figure with front and rear views of the card. It also contains the definitions needed to interpret card orientation, magnetic stripe location, contacts, and SIM-related terms.

Clause 4 summarizes the usability and compatibility goals that shaped the design. Clause 5 gives the actual placement and shape rules, while Clause 6 points readers to ISO 7810 for checking physical characteristics. Clause 7 addresses labelling and packaging, including the need for clear instructional illustrations.