ISO 24631-3:2017

Overview

ISO 24631-3:2017 - "Radiofrequency identification of animals - Part 3: Evaluation of performance of RFID transponders conforming with ISO 11784 and ISO 11785" specifies standardized test methods to evaluate the performance of animal RFID transponders. The standard defines how to measure the energy-transfer and data-transfer characteristics of transponders (injectable tags, ear tags, ruminal boluses, leg tags and attachments) so manufacturers, test laboratories and registration authorities can compare and certify device performance.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and purpose: Provides test procedures for verifying transponder performance in line with ISO 11784 (code structure) and ISO 11785 (technical concept), and supports companion-animal use as recognized by FECAVA and WSAVA.
• Activation field: Defines the magnetic activation field (134.2 kHz reference) and procedures to determine the minimal activating magnetic field strength required for full transponder operation.
• Signal characterization: Specifies measurement of transponder modulation amplitude (modulation depth for FDX‑B, average voltage depth for HDX) to assess data-transfer quality.
• Stability metrics:
  • Bit length stability for FDX‑B transponders (standard deviation of bit duration).
  • Frequency stability for HDX transponders (standard deviation of the two FSK frequencies).
• Test apparatus and configurations: Describes the reference measurement set-up including Helmholtz transmitting antenna (HTA), Helmholtz sensing coils (HSC) and sensing coils (SC), matching networks (MN) and compensation networks (CN) to obtain absolute, comparable results.
• Conformance and reporting: Test centres recognized by the Registration Authority (RA) perform tests per Clause 7 and report results; RA-managed product and manufacturer codes are prerequisites for testing (see ISO 24631-1).
• Accreditation: Test centres are expected to be ISO/IEC 17025 accredited for the defined measurements.

Practical applications - who uses this standard

• RFID transponder manufacturers - to validate product performance, obtain RA product codes and demonstrate compliance with ISO 11784/11785.
• Accredited test laboratories and RA-recognized test centres - to execute standardized test procedures and produce comparable test reports.
• Veterinarians, pet registries and companion-animal organizations (FECAVA, WSAVA) - to rely on certified transponders for pet identification and welfare.
• Livestock managers and regulatory authorities - for traceability, animal health management and compliance with national/international ID schemes.
• Equipment designers (readers/transceivers) - to ensure interoperability with transponders meeting the documented activation and modulation characteristics.

Related standards

• ISO 11784 - Radio frequency identification of animals - Code structure
• ISO 11785 - Radio frequency identification of animals - Technical concept
• ISO 24631-1 - Evaluation of conformance (manufacturer code management and RA procedures)

Keywords: ISO 24631-3, RFID transponders, animal identification, ISO 11784, ISO 11785, activation field, Helmholtz coil, modulation amplitude, FDX-B, HDX, transponder performance.