ISO/IEC 10373-6:2025

Overview

ISO/IEC 10373-6:2025 - fifth edition - defines specific test methods for contactless proximity objects, including proximity cards, proximity coupling devices (PCD), proximity integrated circuit cards (PICC) and proximity extended devices as defined in ISO/IEC 14443-1 through -4. The standard specifies apparatus, measurement setups and procedures to verify electromagnetic, modulation, timing and protocol-related parameters. Tests are intended to be executed individually (not necessarily sequentially), and the conformance test plan (Annex O) identifies required tests for each part of the ISO/IEC 14443 series.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Test scope and environment: Default items such as test environment, pre-conditioning, setup tolerances, measurement uncertainty and device-under-test (DUT) positioning.
• Apparatus and calibration: Requirements for oscilloscopes, calibration coils, test PCD assemblies, sense coils and mechanical construction of test equipment.
• Reference devices: Use of Reference PICC and Active Reference PICC for repeatable transmission/reception measurements.
• ISO/IEC 14443-1 & -2 parameter tests: Alternating magnetic field tests, field strength, modulation index and waveform analysis, phase stability, and load modulation reception at multiple bit rates.
• EMD (electromagnetic disturbance) testing: PCD and PICC EMD immunity/level tests, EMD recovery and noise-floor preconditions to assess robustness in noisy electromagnetic environments.
• Transmission/reception and performance: PICC transmission, reception sensitivity, resonance frequency, maximum loading effect and operating field strength.
• Protocol-level tests (ISO/IEC 14443-3 & -4): Frame handling, mode alternation, high bit-rate selection and additional PCD/PICC protocol tests.
• Tools & annexes: Normative annexes include antenna designs, sense coil specifications, analysis tools (modulation, phase stability, drift) and concrete test programs.

Applications and who uses this standard

ISO/IEC 10373-6:2025 is essential for:

• Manufacturers of contactless smart cards, NFC tags, readers and secure elements seeking interoperability and regulatory conformance.
• Test laboratories performing compliance, certification and type-approval testing for contactless proximity systems.
• System integrators and solution architects validating reader-card interactions, reliability and electromagnetic robustness in access control, payment, eID and transit systems.
• Certification bodies and regulators that require standardized test methods to demonstrate compliance with ISO/IEC 14443.

Related standards

• ISO/IEC 14443-1 to -4 (physical characteristics, radio frequency power and signal interface, initialization and anticollision, transmission protocol)
• Other parts of the ISO/IEC 10373 test-method series (for contact and other card types)

Keywords: ISO/IEC 10373-6:2025, contactless proximity objects, proximity cards, PCD, PICC, ISO/IEC 14443, test methods, conformance testing, EMD, modulation index, calibration coils.