ISO/IEC 19785-3:2020

Overview

ISO/IEC 19785-3:2020 specifies and publishes registered patron formats for the Common Biometric Exchange Formats Framework (CBEFF). Part 3 of the CBEFF series defines the standardized patron format specifications, their registered patron format types (see ISO/IEC 19785-1), associated data elements, conformance rules and the resulting full ASN.1 OIDs. The standard supports multiple patron encodings - from simple bit/byte formats to TLV (smartcard) and XML - to promote interoperable biometric data exchange across devices and systems.

Key Topics

• Registered patron formats: Formal definitions for multiple patron formats (simple bit-oriented - deprecated, simple byte-oriented, presence byte-/bit-oriented, TLV-encoded for smartcards, complex, XML-full, etc.).
• ASN.1 type definitions & OIDs: ASN.1 modules for CBEFF data elements and abstract value encodings, and full ASN.1 Object Identifiers (OIDs) for each patron format.
• Conformance and versioning: Rules for declaring patron conformance, version identifiers and links to CBEFF versioning.
• Domain of use: Explicit statements of intended application contexts (e.g., on-card vs off-card comparison).
• TLV and smartcard support: TLV-encoded patron format for tokens and smartcards, with implicit tag allocation guidance.
• Biometric Information Template (BIT): Templates and grouping objects for storing biometric data and metadata in a standardized way.
• Deprecated formats and migration: Identification of deprecated formats (e.g., the simple bit-oriented format) to guide implementers.

Applications

ISO/IEC 19785-3:2020 is practical for organizations and professionals who need reliable, interoperable biometric interchange:

• Biometric system vendors implementing template storage and exchange (fingerprint, face, iris templates).
• Smartcard/token manufacturers using TLV-encoded patron formats for on-card biometric comparison.
• Identity management and authentication providers building interoperable systems for access control, authentication and federated identity.
• Government agencies and border control deploying standardized biometric data exchange (e.g., ePassports, national ID programs).
• Integrators and security architects designing multi-vendor biometric ecosystems where consistent OIDs, ASN.1 schemas and conformance statements are required.

Who should use it

• Implementers needing definitive patron format specifications and ASN.1 encodings.
• Standards architects and compliance teams ensuring interoperability across devices and jurisdictions.
• Developers and system integrators working with on-card/off-card biometric workflows.

Related standards

• ISO/IEC 19785-1 - CBEFF patron format types (registration and definitions).
• Other parts of the ISO/IEC 19785 series and work by ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37 (biometrics).

Using ISO/IEC 19785-3:2020 helps ensure consistent biometric data exchange, clear patron format identification (via ASN.1 OIDs), and practical guidance for smartcard and template-based biometric deployments.