ISO/IEC 7813:2006

Overview

ISO/IEC 7813:2006 - Information technology - Identification cards - Financial transaction cards - defines the data structure and content of magnetic tracks 1 and 2 used to initiate financial transactions. The standard specifies minimum requirements for track encoding, layout and physical/human aspects of ID‑1 financial cards (e.g., ATM and payment cards). It references recording techniques, numbering systems and registration procedures but does not specify security requirements. Test methods for compliance are covered by ISO/IEC 10373.

Key topics and requirements

• Track data structure
  • Track 1 (Structure B): alphanumeric format, up to 79 characters, uses a 7‑bit modified ASCII code; fields include start sentinel, format code, PAN, name, expiration date, service code, discretionary data and LRC.
  • Track 2: numeric format, up to 40 digits, uses a 5‑bit modified ASCII code; includes start sentinel, PAN, expiration date, service code, discretionary data and LRC.
• Primary Account Number (PAN): consists of a 6‑digit Issuer Identification Number (IIN), variable-length account number (max 12 digits) and a check digit - as defined in ISO/IEC 7812.
• Service code: a three‑digit numeric field whose individual positions indicate interchange scope, technology/ICC presence and authorization/PIN requirements; terminals act on each sub‑field independently.
• Physical characteristics: embossed characters (per ISO/IEC 7811), magnetic stripe location on card back, and integrated circuit (ICC) requirements referencing ISO/IEC 7816 (contact) and contactless standards (ISO/IEC 14443, ISO/IEC 15693, ISO/IEC 10536).
• Conformance: cards must meet all mandatory requirements in ISO/IEC 7813 and prerequisites such as ISO/IEC 7810, 7811, 7812, 7816, ISO 4909 and relevant contactless standards.

Applications and who uses this standard

ISO/IEC 7813 is essential for:

• Card issuers and banks - defining PAN layout, expiration and service-code usage for ATM and payment cards.
• Card personalization bureaus - encoding magnetic tracks and embossing per ID‑1 physical rules.
• Terminal and POS/ATM manufacturers - interpreting service code semantics and track formats to ensure correct acceptance, PIN prompts and transaction routing.
• Payment processors and scheme operators - ensuring interoperability of magnetic stripe data across networks.
• Test labs and compliance auditors - using ISO/IEC 10373 to validate card conformance.

Related standards

• ISO/IEC 7810 (physical characteristics)
• ISO/IEC 7811 (recording techniques)
• ISO/IEC 7812 (IIN/PAN registration)
• ISO/IEC 7816 (ICC contact cards)
• ISO/IEC 14443, 15693, 10536 (contactless IC cards)
• ISO 4909 (track 3 content)
• ISO/IEC 10373 (test methods)
• EMV specifications (recommended for ICC payment application interoperability)

ISO/IEC 7813 remains a core reference for anyone implementing or testing financial transaction cards, magnetic stripe encoding, and card‑to‑terminal interoperability.