ISO/IEC 15457-2:2007

Overview - ISO/IEC 15457-2:2007 (Magnetic recording technique)

ISO/IEC 15457-2:2007 is the part of the ISO/IEC 15457 series that specifies the magnetic stripe and encoding characteristics for thin flexible cards (TFCs). It applies to the three card sizes defined in Part 1 (TFC.0, TFC.1, TFC.5) and addresses the magnetic recording technique at two lifecycle points:

• when cards are loaded into card‑issuing equipment, and
• when cards are issued to the public.

The standard targets automated applications such as mass transit, highway tolling, car parks, vouchers and stored‑value cards where data is written/read by machines using magnetic stripes.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Card formats: TFC.0, TFC.1 and TFC.5 magnetic track and encoding characteristics are given in separate clauses.
• Magnetic stripe physical characteristics:
  • Two protrusion classes (max 12 μm or 25 μm) to accommodate stripe tape application.
  • Surface roughness and profile deviation limits to ensure reliable read/write.
  • Stripe area warpage limit (max perpendicular deformation 80 μm under specified load) and curl limit (≤ 1 mm under test force).
  • Adherence: stripes must remain firmly fixed throughout card life and not contaminate adjacent cards.
• Magnetic properties and encoding:
  • Magnetic characteristics, coercivity and track definitions are specified, with encoding classes and magnetics classes detailed in normative annexes.
  • Track-specific requirements for TFC.0, TFC.1 and TFC.5 include nominal bit densities, test currents/densities and readback signal criteria (e.g., modulation, average signal amplitude).
• Environmental and lifecycle considerations: references to Part 1 (physical characteristics) and Part 3 (test methods) for storage, usage and testing environments.

Applications and practical value

• Ensures reliable read/write performance for magnetic stripe thin flexible cards used in:
  • public transport ticketing and stored‑value media,
  • automated toll and parking systems,
  • voucher and access control cards.
• Helps card manufacturers, card‑issuers, system integrators and testing laboratories define production tolerances, quality control limits and acceptance criteria for magnetic stripe encoding and durability.
• Facilitates interoperability between card‑issuing equipment and reader/writer devices by standardizing stripe geometry, magnetic classes and encoding characteristics.

Who should use this standard

• Card manufacturers and converters applying magnetic stripes
• Card‑issuing bureaus and personalization houses
• Transit agencies, toll operators and payment system designers
• Test laboratories and quality assurance teams ensuring compliance

Related standards

• ISO/IEC 15457-1 - Thin flexible cards: Physical characteristics
• ISO/IEC 15457-3 - Thin flexible cards: Test methods
• ISO/IEC 7811-2 / 7811-6 - Magnetic stripe recording techniques (low/high coercivity)

Keywords: ISO/IEC 15457-2:2007, thin flexible cards, magnetic stripe, magnetic recording technique, encoding, TFC.0, TFC.1, TFC.5, card issuing, transit tickets, stored value.