Overview
EN ISO/IEC 15423:2010 (ISO/IEC 15423:2009) specifies the test equipment and procedures used to determine the performance of bar code scanner and decoder products. Adopted by CEN as a European Standard, it covers both integrated reading systems and discrete scanner/decoder units and defines performance for a specific equipment configuration (e.g., a particular model) irrespective of component variations. The standard also includes a normative annex for operational parameters of test equipment and an informative annex describing scanner classification.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test equipment and procedures: Defines the laboratory tools and step‑by‑step methods required for repeatable performance testing of bar code readers and decoders.
- Categories of scanners: Classifies scanners by reading geometry (single‑axis, two‑axis, three‑axis) and includes special types such as contact scanners (e.g., wand/light‑pen).
- Test conditions and charts: Specifies environmental and symbol conditions for tests and the use of standardized test charts to evaluate decoding reliability.
- Test parameters and criteria: Lists parameters to be measured (for example, read distance, depth of field, decode redundancy, and decoding success under varied symbol quality) and provides criteria for pass/fail evaluation.
- Equipment selection and interfaces: Covers how to select units for testing and documents equipment specification sections including human and computer interfaces, digital I/O and configuration/programming considerations.
- Reporting, certification and labelling: Defines required content of test reports and guidance for certification and labelling of compliant products.
- Normative and informative annexes: Normative annex establishes operational test equipment parameters; informative annex offers a practical means of classifying scanners and an example decodability calculation.
Applications and users
This standard is directly applicable to:
- Manufacturers designing and validating bar code scanners and decoders to demonstrate performance claims.
- Independent test laboratories conducting performance testing and issuing compliance reports.
- Procurement teams and system integrators evaluating reader hardware for retail, logistics, healthcare and industrial AIDC deployments.
- Standards bodies and certification programs establishing interoperable performance benchmarks for AIDC (automatic identification and data capture) equipment.
Adoption helps ensure consistent, repeatable testing, improves interoperability and reduces risk when deploying bar code reading solutions.
Related standards
EN ISO/IEC 15423 references and complements other AIDC standards, including:
Keywords: ISO/IEC 15423, EN ISO 15423:2010, bar code scanner performance testing, decoder performance, AIDC, test procedures, test equipment, scanner classification.