Overview
EN ISO 21007-2:2015 (adopted by CEN) defines a flexible, non‑mandatory framework for numbering schemes used with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags on gas cylinders. Its purpose is to enable unambiguous identification and harmonization between different RFID systems in the gas cylinder sector without prescribing a single mandated system. The standard focuses on data structure and presentation; it explicitly excludes elements of transmission or storage protocols (e.g., headers, checksums). For operational details related to cylinder/tag behavior, see the standard’s Annex A.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Data presentation and encoding: Guidance on general requirements, ASN.1 message handling, message identification, and use of predetermined context or packed encoding rules for compact storage.
- Gas cylinder identification structures: Two main structures are addressed - a variable (flexible) structure and an optimized structure for reduced storage size.
- Data Scheme Identifier (DSI): Each data element is prefixed by identifiers describing the scheme, length and content type to allow multi‑scheme interoperability.
- Numbering schemes:
- Scheme “01” (binary) and Scheme “02” (ASCII) for core cylinder numbering, including fields such as issuer country code, registration body, issuer identifier and a unique number/string.
- Optional data schemes covering common sector elements:
- Manufacturer information, serial numbers
- Cylinder approval and testing information
- Package, capacity and pressure data (water capacity, working/test pressure)
- Tare weight, last test date
- Content and fill dates, commercial product and quantity codes
- Production lot/expiry, accessories, and acetylene‑specific data
- Exclusions: The document does not define transmission/storage protocol headers or checksums, keeping the focus on data semantics rather than lower‑layer transport.
Practical applications and users
Who benefits:
- Gas cylinder manufacturers and tag suppliers implementing RFID marking schemes
- Cylinder distributors, rental companies and logistics operators tracking inventory and movement
- Safety and compliance teams recording test dates, approvals and lifecycle events
- RFID system integrators and software vendors building interoperable asset management systems
Practical uses:
- Unambiguous identification for traceability, maintenance and safety compliance
- Automated inventory management, refill/return workflows and theft/loss control
- Integration across national/regional registration schemes while allowing system evolution as RFID technology changes
Related standards
- Part of the ISO 21007 family (this is Part 2). Implementers should review other ISO/CEN guidance in the gas cylinder and RFID domain for marking methods, operational procedures and complementary technical requirements.
Keywords: ISO 21007-2:2015, EN ISO 21007-2, gas cylinders, RFID, numbering schemes, data structure, cylinder identification, CEN.
