ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 31/WG 2 - Data and structure

This document specifies a transfer structure, syntax, and coding of messages and data formats when using high-capacity ADC media between trading partners (specifically between suppliers and recipients) and, where applicable, in support of carrier applications, such as bills of lading, and carrier sortation and tracking. The data encoded according to this document include: — data which can be used in the shipping, receiving and inventory of transport units; — data which can be contained within supporting documentation, in paper or electronic form, related to unit loads or transport packages; — data which can be used in the sortation and tracking of transport units. This document describes the ISO/IEC 646 characters used for automatic data capture; it is not the controlling specification for data structures (e.g. CII) referenced in this International Standard. This document does not supersede or replace any applicable safety or other marking or labelling requirements. It is intended to be applied in addition to any other mandated labelling requirements.

ISO/IEC 20248:2018 is an ISO/IEC 9594‑8 (Public Key Infrastructure: digital signatures and certificates) application specification for automated identification services. It specifies a method whereby data stored within a barcode and/or RFID tag are structured, encoded and digitally signed. ISO/IEC 9594‑8 is used to provide a standard method for key and data description management and distribution. It is worth noting that the data capacity and/or data transfer capacity of Automated Identification Data Carriers are restricted. This restricts the normal use of a Digital Signature as specified in ISO/IEC 9594‑8 within automated identification services. The purpose of this document is to provide an open and interoperable method, between automated identification services and data carriers, to read data, verify data originality and data integrity in an offline use case. ISO/IEC 20248:2018 specifies - the meta data structure, the DigSig, which contains the Digital Signature and encoded structured data, - the public key certificate parameter and extension use, the DigSig Certificate, which contains the certified associated public key, the structured data description, the read methods and private containers, - the method to specify, read, describe, sign, verify, encode and decode the structured data, the DigSig Data Description, - the DigSig EncoderGenerator which generates the relevant asymmetric key pairs, keeps the Private Key secret and generates the DigSigs, and - the DigSig DecoderVerifier which, by using to the DigSig Certificate, reads the DigSig from the set of Data Carriers, verifies the DigSig and extracts the structured data from the DigSig. A successful verification of the DigSig signifies the following: - the data was not tampered with; - the source of the data is as indicated on the DigSig Certificate used to verify the DigSig with; - if a secured identifier of the data carrier is included in the DigSig it contains, then the data stored on the data carrier can be considered as the original issued copy of the data; the secure identifier will be able to guarantee that the data carrier is authentic. ISO/IEC 20248:2018 does not specify - cryptographic methods, nor - key management methods. ISO/IEC 20248:2018 is used in conjunction with standard risk assessments of the use environment.

ISO/IEC 29161:2016 establishes a unique identification scheme for the Internet of Things (IoT), based on existing and evolving data structures. This International Standard specifies the common rules applicable for unique identification that are required to ensure full compatibility across different identities. The unique identification is a universal construct for any physical object, virtual object, or person. It is used in IoT information systems that need to track or otherwise refer to entities. It is intended for use with any IoT media.

ISO/IEC 15418:2016 - specifies sets of Data Identifiers and Application Identifiers for the purpose of identifying encoded data, and - identifies the organizations responsible for their maintenance.

ISO/IEC 15459-2:2015 specifies the procedural requirements to maintain identities and outlines the obligations of the Registration Authority and Issuing Agencies. ISO/IEC 15459-2:2015 excludes those entities where ISO has designated Maintenance Agencies or Registration Authorities to provide identity and/or identifier schemes. It does not apply to: freight containers, because their unique coding is specified in ISO 6346, Freight containers - Coding, identification and marking; vehicles, because their unique identification is specified in ISO 3779, Road vehicles - Vehicle identification number (VIN) - Content and structure; car radios, because their unique identification is specified in ISO 10486, Passenger cars - Car radio identification number (CRIN). The exclusion also applies to ISO 2108, Information and documentation - International standard book number (ISBN), and ISO 3297, Information and documentation - International standard serial number (ISSN).

ISO/IEC 15459-3:2014 specifies the common rules applicable for unique identification that are required to ensure full compatibility across different identities.

ISO/IEC 15459-5:2014 specifies a unique string of characters for the identification of individual returnable transport items (RTIs). The character string is intended to be represented in a bar code label or other automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) media attached to the item to meet management needs. To address management needs, different classes of identities are recognized in the various parts of ISO/IEC 15459, which allows different requirements to be met by the identities associated with each class. The rules for the identification of RTIs, with the identity being relevant for the complete lifecycle of the item, are defined and supported by example.

ISO/IEC 15459-1:2014 specifies a unique string of characters for the identification of individual transport units. The character string is intended to be represented in a bar code label or other AIDC media attached to the entity to meet management needs. To address management needs, different types of entities are recognized in the various parts of ISO/IEC 15459, which allows different requirements to be met by the identities associated with each type. The rules for the unique identification for individual transport units, to identify physical logistical transfers, with the identity relevant for the duration of one or more items in the load being held or transported as part of that load, are defined and supported by example.

ISO/IEC 15459-4:2014 specifies a unique string of characters for the identification of individual products and product packages. The character string is intended to be represented in a linear bar code symbol or two-dimensional symbol or other automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) media attached to the entity to meet management needs. To address management needs, different classes of identities are recognized in the various parts of ISO/IEC 15459, which allows different requirements to be met by the identities associated with each class. The rules for the identification of an individual occurrence of a product or product package, understood to mean the layers zero and one defined in ISO 17367 and ISO 17366, respectively, are defined and supported by examples.

ISO/IEC 15459-6:2014 specifies a unique string of characters for the identification of groupings of products, product packages, transport units and items. The character string is intended to be represented in a linear bar code symbol and two-dimensional symbol or other automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) media attached to the entity to meet management needs and/or regulatory needs (e.g. customs clearance). To address these needs, different types of identifiers are recognized in the various parts of ISO/IEC 15459, which allows different requirements to be met by the unique identifiers associated within the context of the specific parts of ISO/IEC 15459. The unique identifiers for grouping of products, product packages, transport units and items enables grouping by type, characteristics, order, manufacturing, quality, location, movement, etc. to be uniquely identified. It is possible to use with other unique individual identifiers defined in other parts of ISO/IEC 15459. Encoding these unique identifiers in a data carrier enables information about the item processing to be clearly identified.

ISO/IEC TR 29162:2012 provides guidance on how to write and read the necessary data on the use in the supply chain to each AIDC media (linear bar code and two-dimensional symbols, RFID transponder or other AIDC media) .

ISO/IEC 15459-8:2009 specifies a unique, non-significant, string of characters for the unique identifier for grouping of transport units. The character string might be represented in a bar code label or other AIDC media associated with the items that make up the grouping to meet supply chain needs and regulatory needs (e.g. customs clearance). An individual instance of an entity is aptly identified by a unique identifier defined in other parts of ISO/IEC 15459. This relationship has to be communicated to the business partners according to the business need and the unique identifier for the grouping might be used as a reference number only or marked in addition to the existing identifier. To address management needs, different classes of items are recognized in the various parts of ISO/IEC 15459, which allows different requirements to be met by the unique identifiers associated with each class. ISO/IEC 15459-8:2009 defines the rules for the grouping of transport units to identify the multiple physical units that make up a single shipment from a consignor and are treated as a single logical grouping for customs and other shipping requirements.

ISO/IEC 15418:2009 specifies sets of Data Identifiers and Application Identifiers for the purpose of identifying encoded data, and identifies the organizations responsible for their maintenance.

Unique identification can occur at many different levels in the supply chain, at the transport unit, at the item level, and elsewhere. Such distinct entities are often handled by several parties: the sender, the receiver, one or more carriers, customs authorities, etc. Each of these parties must be able to identify and trace the item so that reference can be made to associated information such as configuration, maintenance history, address, order number, contents of the item, weight, sender, batch or lot number, etc. The information is often held on computer systems, and may be exchanged between parties involved via EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) and XML (eXtensible Markup Language) messages. There are considerable benefits if the identity of the item is represented in bar code format, or other AIDC (Automatic Identification and Data Capture) media and attached to or made a constituent part of that which is being uniquely identified so that it can be read electronically, thus minimising errors; one identity can be used by all parties; each party can use the identity to look up its computer files to find the data associated with the item; the identifier is unique within the class and cannot appear on any other item of the class during the lifetime of the item. The unique identifier for individual items defined in ISO/IEC 15459-4:2008 and represented in a bar code label, two-dimensional symbol, radio-frequency identification tag, or other AIDC media attached to the item meets these needs. All AIDC technologies have the potential to encode a unique identifier. It is expected that application standards for items, using various automatic identification technologies, will be developed based upon the unique identifier as a prime key. These application standards may be made available from the Issuing Agency. ISO/IEC 15459-4:2008 specifies a unique, non-significant string of characters for the unique identifier for individual items. The character string is intended to be represented in a bar code label or other AIDC media attached to the item to meet supply chain needs. To address management needs, different classes of items are recognized in the various parts of ISO/IEC 15459, which allows different requirements to be met by the unique identifiers associated with each class. The rules are defined for the individual items to identify the unique occurrence of an item, understood to mean the layers zero and one as will be defined in two future International Standards (ISO 17367 and ISO 17366, respectively).

ISO/IEC 15459-6:2007 specifies a unique, non-significant string of characters for the unique identifier of product groupings. The character string is intended to be represented in linear bar code and two-dimensional symbols, radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder or other automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) media attached to the product and/or material to meet the management needs in a batch or lot unit. To address management needs, different classes of item are recognised in the various parts of ISO/IEC 15459. This allows different requirements to be met by the unique identifiers of each class. The unique identifier for product grouping enables a product grouping defined by a batch or lot number to be uniquely identified from all other lots and batches compliant with ISO/IEC 15459-6:2007. Encoding this unique identifier in a data carrier enables information about the quality of product and end-of-life processing to be clearly identified. The rules for the unique identifier for product grouping, to identify the unique occurrence of that quality, are defined and supported by an example.

ISO/IEC 15459-5:2007 specifies a unique, non-significant string of characters for the unique identification of returnable transport items (RTIs). The character string is intended to be represented in a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder, bar code label or other automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) media attached to the item to meet supply chain management needs. To address management needs different classes of RTI are recognised in the various parts of ISO/IEC 15459, which allows different requirements to be met by the unique identifiers associated with each class. The rules for the unique identifier for RTIs, to identify the unique occurrence of an item, with the identity being relevant for the complete life cycle of the item, are defined and supported by an example.

ISO/IEC 15434:2006 defines the manner in which data is transferred to high-capacity automatic data capture (ADC) media from a supplier's information system and the manner in which data is transferred to the recipient's information system. It does not define the internal data storage format for specific high-capacity ADC media, nor does it specify the application of data structures provided by a specific data syntax format. The application of the data structure is specified by industry conventions. Users of ADC technologies benefit by being able to receive data in a standard form and by being able to provide data in a standard form. Static ADC technologies such as bar code symbologies, magnetic stripe, optical character recognition, surface acoustical wave (SAW) and Weigand effect typically encode a single field of data. Most applications of these technologies involve the encoding of a single field of data by the supplier of the medium and the subsequent decoding of the data field by the recipient. Encoding single fields of data permits the supplier to perform the encodation from a single field within the supplier's information system. Decoding single fields of data permits the recipient to input this data into a single field in the recipient's information system, in lieu of key entry. High-capacity ADC technologies, such as two-dimensional symbols, RFID transponders, contact memories and smart cards, encode multiple fields of data. These multiple fields are usually parsed by the recipient's information system and then mapped to specific fields of data in the recipient's information system. ISO/IEC 15434:2006 defines the syntax for high-capacity ADC media, so as to enable ADC users to utilize a single mapping utility, regardless of which high-capacity ADC medium is employed. ISO/IEC 15434:2006 specifies a transfer structure, syntax, and coding of messages and data formats when using high-capacity ADC media between trading partners (specifically between suppliers and recipients) and, where applicable, in support of carrier applications, such as bills of lading and carrier sortation and tracking. The data encoded according to ISO/IEC 15434:2006 include data which may be used in the shipping, receiving, and inventory of transport units; data which may be contained within supporting documentation, in paper or electronic form, related to unit loads or transport packages; data which may be used in the sortation and tracking of transport units. ISO/IEC 15434:2006 describes the ISO 646 syntax for automatic data capture. ISO/IEC 15434:2006 is not the controlling specification for data structures (e.g. CII) referenced in ISO/IEC 15434:2006. ISO/IEC 15434:2006 does not supersede or replace any applicable safety or regulatory marking or labelling requirements. It is to be applied in addition to any other mandated labelling requirements.

Unique identification can occur at many different levels in the supply chain, at the transport unit, at the item level, and elsewhere. Such distinct entities are often handled by several parties: the sender, the receiver, one or more carriers, customs authorities, etc. Each of these parties must be able to identify and trace the item so that reference can be made to associated information such as configuration, maintenance history, address, order number, contents of the item, weight, sender, batch or lot number, etc. The information is often held on computer systems, and may be exchanged between parties involved via EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) and XML (eXtensible Markup Language) messages. There are considerable benefits if the identity of the item is represented in bar code format, or other AIDC (Automatic Identification and Data Capture) media and attached to or made a constituent part of that which is being uniquely identified so that it can be read electronically, thus minimising errors; one identity can be used by all parties; each party can use the identity to look up its computer files to find the data associated with the item; the identifier is unique within the class and cannot appear on any other item of the class during the lifetime of the item. The unique identifier for supply chain management defined in ISO/IEC 15459-4:2006 and represented in a bar code label, two-dimensional symbol, radio-frequency identification tag, or other AIDC media attached to the item meets these needs. All AIDC technologies have the potential to encode a unique identifier. It is expected that application standards for items, using various automatic identification technologies, will be developed based upon the unique identifier as a prime key. These application standards may be made available from the Issuing Agency. ISO/IEC 15459-4:2006 specifies a unique, non-significant string of characters for the unique identifier for supply chain management. The character string is intended to be represented in a bar code label or other AIDC media attached to the item to meet supply chain management needs. To address management needs different classes of items are recognized in the various parts of ISO/IEC 15459, which allows different requirements to be met by the unique identifiers associated with each class. The rules are defined for the unique identifiers for supply chain management to identify the unique occurrence of an item, understood to mean the layers zero and one as will be defined in two future International Standards (ISO 17367 and ISO 17366, respectively).

Unique identification can occur at many different levels in the supply chain, at the transport unit, at the item level, and elsewhere. Such distinct entities are often handled by several parties: the sender, the receiver, one or more carriers, customs authorities, etc. Each of these parties must be able to identify and trace the item so that reference can be made to associated information such as address, order number, contents of the item, weight, sender, batch or lot number, etc. There are considerable benefits if the identity of the item is common between all the relevant parties. ISO/IEC 15459-2:2006 specifies the procedural requirements to maintain a non-significant, unique identifier for item management applications, and outlines the obligations of the Registration Authority and Issuing Agencies. ISO/IEC 15459-2:2006 excludes those items where ISO has designated Maintenance Agencies or Registration Authorities to provide identification schemes. It does not apply to freight containers, because their unique coding is specified in ISO 6346, Freight containers -- Coding, identification and marking; vehicles, because their unique identification is specified in ISO 3779, Road vehicles -- Vehicle identification number (VIN) -- Content and structure; car radios, because their unique identification is specified in ISO 10486, Passenger cars -- Car radio identification number (CRIN). The exclusion also applies to ISO 2108, Information and documentation -- International standard book number (ISBN) and ISO 3297, Information and documentation -- International standard serial number (ISSN). NOTE The scope of each of ISO 2108 and ISO 3297 identifies the title rather than the individual copy of a book or periodical. As such, the level of identification achieved is at a level higher than the unique identity required to be compliant with ISO/IEC 15459-2:2006.

Unique identification can occur at many different levels in the supply chain, at the transport unit, at the item level, and elsewhere. Such distinct entities are often handled by several parties: the sender, the receiver, one or more carriers, customs authorities, etc. Each of these parties must be able to identify and trace the item so that reference can be made to associated information such as address, order number, contents of the item, weight, sender, batch or lot number, etc. The information is often held on computer systems, and may be exchanged between parties involved via EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) and XML (eXtensible Markup Language) messages. There are considerable benefits if the identity of the item is represented in bar code format, or other AIDC (Automatic Identification and Data Capture) media and attached to or made a constituent part of that which is being uniquely identified so that it can be read electronically, thus minimising errors; one identifier can be used by all parties; each party can use the identifier to look up its computer files to find the data associated with the item; the identifier is unique within the class and cannot appear on any other item of the class during the lifetime of the item. The unique identifier for transport units defined in ISO/IEC 15459-1:2006 and represented in a bar code label, two-dimensional symbol, radio-frequency identification tag, or other AIDC media attached to the item meets these needs. All AIDC technologies have the potential to encode a unique identifier. It is expected that application standards for items, using various automatic identification technologies, will be developed based upon the unique identifier as a prime key. These application standards may be made available from the Issuing Agency. ISO/IEC 15459-1:2006 specifies a unique, non-significant, string of characters for the identification of transport units. The character string is intended to be represented in a bar code label or other AIDC media attached to the item to meet item management needs. To address management needs different classes of items are recognized in the various parts of ISO/IEC 15459, which allows different requirements to be met by the unique identifiers associated with each class. The rules for the unique identifier for transport units, to identify physical logistical transfers, with the identity relevant for the duration of one or more items in the load being held or transported as part of that load, are defined and supported by an example.

Unique identification can occur at many different levels in the supply chain, at the transport unit, at the item level, and elsewhere. Such distinct entities are often handled by several parties - the sender, the receiver, one or more carriers, customs authorities, etc. Each of these parties must be able to identify and trace the item so that reference can be made to associated information such as configuration, maintenance history, address, order number, contents of the item, weight, sender, batch or lot number, etc. The information is often held on computer systems, and may be exchanged between parties involved via EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) and XML (eXtensible Markup Language) messages. There are considerable benefits if the identity of the item is represented in bar code format, or other AIDC (Automatic Identification and Data Capture) media and attached to or made a constituent part of that which is being uniquely identified so that it can be read electronically, thus minimising errors; one identity can be used by all parties; each party can use the identity to look up its computer files to find the data associated with the item; the identifier is unique within the class and cannot appear on any other item of the class during the lifetime of the item. ISO/IEC 15459-3:2006 specifies the common rules that apply for unique identifiers for item management that are required to ensure full compatibility across classes of unique identifiers.