Overview
ISO/IEC 24789-2:2024 - "Identification cards - Card service life - Part 2: Methods of evaluation" specifies standardized methods of evaluation for ID-1 identification card service life. It complements ISO/IEC 24789-1, which defines application profiles and the selection of mandatory tests. Part 2 lists available, non-mandatory test methods that enable objective comparison and ranking of card durability factors for issuers, manufacturers and suppliers.
Key technical topics and requirements
- Scope and relationship to Part 1: Provides test methods for the ID-1 card form factor; Part 1 defines which tests are mandatory for specific applications.
- Default test items: Defines baseline conditions such as test environment, pre-conditioning, default tolerances, and total measurement uncertainty to ensure repeatability and comparability.
- Comprehensive test methods (summarized from the table of contents):
- Surface abrasion and magnetic stripe abrasion
- ICM (integrated circuit module) adhesion: wrapping, push and pull tests
- Plasticised vinyl storage
- Temperature and humidity aging and temperature & exposure with humidity variation
- ID-1 card flexure (static bending stress)
- Cross-cut tape test and other mechanical strength tests
- Test reporting: Each method includes procedural steps and minimum reporting items to document results consistently.
- Informative Annex A: Additional tests (e.g., dye migration, contactless card mechanical life-cycle sequences) are provided for extended evaluations.
- Notable updates in the 2024 edition: methods revised to current practice, plasticizer change from DOP to DOTP, replacement of temperature-humidity cycling with a humidity-variation exposure method, addition of static bending stress, and other methodological refinements.
Practical applications
- Develop and validate card durability specifications for national IDs, payment cards, access cards and other ID-1 applications.
- Compare materials, laminates, printing methods, magnetic stripes and chip mounting options for life-cycle performance.
- Establish quality assurance and acceptance tests for production and procurement.
- Support R&D and failure analysis by reproducing environmental and mechanical stressors in a standardized manner.
- Provide objective input for procurement contracts, compliance checks and vendor benchmarking.
Who should use this standard
- Card issuers (government and private)
- Card manufacturers and laminators
- Card component suppliers (chips, magnetic stripes, adhesives)
- Independent test laboratories and QA teams
- Procurement specialists writing technical specifications
Related standards
Keywords: ISO/IEC 24789-2:2024, identification cards, card service life, ID-1, card durability testing, evaluation methods, ICM adhesion, temperature and humidity testing, flexure testing, magnetic stripe abrasion.
