SIST ISO/IEC 15459-2:2025 PDF

Overview

ISO/IEC 15459-2:2015 - "Information technology - Automatic identification and data capture techniques - Unique identification - Part 2: Registration procedures" defines the procedural requirements for issuing and maintaining globally unique identities used with AIDC (automatic identification and data capture) technologies. The standard sets out the roles and obligations of the Registration Authority and Issuing Agencies, how Issuing Agency Codes (IACs) are requested and published, and the administrative processes that ensure consistent, interoperable unique identification across systems and organizations.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and exclusions: Specifies registration procedures for unique identification but excludes schemes already governed by designated Maintenance Agencies or Registration Authorities. Explicit exclusions include freight containers (ISO 6346), vehicles (ISO 3779), car radios (ISO 10486), ISBN (ISO 2108) and ISSN (ISO 3297).
• Issuing Agency application process: Organizations must apply to the Registration Authority using the prescribed application form and comply with Registration Authority procedures to obtain an IAC.
• Registration Authority duties: Receive and process applications, maintain and publish a freely available IAC register (alphabetical in English), notify successful applicants, and maintain the Issuing Agency database.
• Issuing Agency Code (IAC) allocation rules:
  • Characters allowed: upper-case A–Z and digits 0–9.
  • IACs A–J: reserved for single-character allocations to multinational, not-for-profit organizations with broad issuer relationships.
  • K: reserved for national public administrations and completed with ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code (applications require national endorsement).
  • L–U: reserved for two-character IACs for organizations represented in multiple member countries.
  • V–Z: reserved for three-character IACs for organizations with more limited representation.
  • GS1: allocated the numeric block 0–9 exclusively.
• Normative references: Related technical vocabulary and common rules are referenced (e.g., ISO/IEC 15459-3 and ISO/IEC 19762-1).

Applications and who uses it

• Supply chain and logistics: Ensures entities (transport units, products, RTIs, groupings) have persistent unique identities for tracking, traceability and EDI integrations.
• Manufacturers and brand owners: Register Issuing Agency identities for serialized items and packaging.
• Standards bodies and registration authorities: Operate and publish the IAC register and oversee allocation procedures.
• Software and AIDC vendors: Implement identity schemes within barcode, RFID and database systems to support lookup and interoperability.
• Regulators and large enterprises: Adopt consistent identity governance for quality, safety and recall management.

Related standards

• ISO/IEC 15459 series (Parts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6)
• ISO/IEC 15459-3 (Common rules)
• ISO/IEC 19762-1 (AIDC vocabulary)
• ISO 6346, ISO 3779, ISO 10486, ISO 2108, ISO 3297 (noted exclusions)
• ISO 3166-1 (country codes)
• ISO/IEC 15418, GS1 General Specifications

Keywords: ISO/IEC 15459-2:2015, unique identification, registration procedures, Issuing Agency Code (IAC), Registration Authority, AIDC, automatic identification, data capture, supply chain traceability.