ISO/IEC 19785-3:2020

Information technology - Common Biometric Exchange Formats Framework - Part 3: Patron format specifications

This document specifies and publishes registered Common Biometric Exchange Formats Framework (CBEFF) patron formats defined by the CBEFF patron ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37, and specifies their registered CBEFF patron format types (see ISO/IEC 19785-1) and resulting full ASN.1 OIDs.

Technologies de l'information — Cadre de formats d'échange biométriques communs — Partie 3: Spécifications de format d'usager

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 13-Sep-2020
• ICS: 35.040 - Information coding
• ICS: 35.240.15 - Identification cards. Chip cards. Biometrics
• Technical Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37 - Biometrics
• Drafting Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37/WG 2 - Biometric technical interfaces
• Current Stage: 9599 - Withdrawal of International Standard
• Start Date: 14-Jul-2025
• Completion Date: 30-Oct-2025

Relations

• Consolidated By: ISO 30024:2024 - Animal feeding stuffs - Determination of phytase activity
• Effective Date: 06-Jun-2022
• Revised: ISO/IEC 19785-3:2025 - Information technology - Common Biometric Exchange Formats Framework - Part 3: Patron format specifications
• Effective Date: 18-Nov-2023
• Revises: ISO/IEC 19785-3:2015 - Information technology - Common Biometric Exchange Formats Framework - Part 3: Patron format specifications
• Effective Date: 20-Aug-2016

Overview

ISO/IEC 19785-3:2020 specifies and publishes registered patron formats for the Common Biometric Exchange Formats Framework (CBEFF). Part 3 of the CBEFF series defines the standardized patron format specifications, their registered patron format types (see ISO/IEC 19785-1), associated data elements, conformance rules and the resulting full ASN.1 OIDs. The standard supports multiple patron encodings - from simple bit/byte formats to TLV (smartcard) and XML - to promote interoperable biometric data exchange across devices and systems.

Key Topics

• Registered patron formats: Formal definitions for multiple patron formats (simple bit-oriented - deprecated, simple byte-oriented, presence byte-/bit-oriented, TLV-encoded for smartcards, complex, XML-full, etc.).
• ASN.1 type definitions & OIDs: ASN.1 modules for CBEFF data elements and abstract value encodings, and full ASN.1 Object Identifiers (OIDs) for each patron format.
• Conformance and versioning: Rules for declaring patron conformance, version identifiers and links to CBEFF versioning.
• Domain of use: Explicit statements of intended application contexts (e.g., on-card vs off-card comparison).
• TLV and smartcard support: TLV-encoded patron format for tokens and smartcards, with implicit tag allocation guidance.
• Biometric Information Template (BIT): Templates and grouping objects for storing biometric data and metadata in a standardized way.
• Deprecated formats and migration: Identification of deprecated formats (e.g., the simple bit-oriented format) to guide implementers.

Applications

ISO/IEC 19785-3:2020 is practical for organizations and professionals who need reliable, interoperable biometric interchange:

• Biometric system vendors implementing template storage and exchange (fingerprint, face, iris templates).
• Smartcard/token manufacturers using TLV-encoded patron formats for on-card biometric comparison.
• Identity management and authentication providers building interoperable systems for access control, authentication and federated identity.
• Government agencies and border control deploying standardized biometric data exchange (e.g., ePassports, national ID programs).
• Integrators and security architects designing multi-vendor biometric ecosystems where consistent OIDs, ASN.1 schemas and conformance statements are required.

Who should use it

• Implementers needing definitive patron format specifications and ASN.1 encodings.
• Standards architects and compliance teams ensuring interoperability across devices and jurisdictions.
• Developers and system integrators working with on-card/off-card biometric workflows.

Related standards

• ISO/IEC 19785-1 - CBEFF patron format types (registration and definitions).
• Other parts of the ISO/IEC 19785 series and work by ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37 (biometrics).

Using ISO/IEC 19785-3:2020 helps ensure consistent biometric data exchange, clear patron format identification (via ASN.1 OIDs), and practical guidance for smartcard and template-based biometric deployments.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO/IEC
STANDARD 19785-3
Third edition
2020-09
Information technology — Common
Biometric Exchange Formats
Framework —
Part 3:
Patron format specifications
Technologies de l'information — Cadre de formats d'échange
biométriques communs —
Partie 3: Spécifications de format d'usager
Reference number
©
ISO/IEC 2020
© ISO/IEC 2020
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO/IEC 2020 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .viii
Introduction .x
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms . 2
5 Conformance . 3
6 ASN.1 type definitions for CBEFF data elements and abstract values .3
6.1 General . 3
6.2 CBEFF data elements type definitions module . 3
7 Patron format specification: Simple bit-oriented patron format (deprecated) .8
7.1 Patron . 8
7.2 Patron format owner . 8
7.3 Patron format name . 8
7.4 Patron format type. 8
7.5 ASN.1 OID for this patron format . 8
7.6 Domain of use . 9
7.7 Version identifier . 9
7.8 CBEFF version . 9
7.9 General . 9
7.10 ASN.1 Specification .10
8 Patron format specification: Simple byte-oriented patron format .10
8.1 Patron .10
8.2 Patron format owner .10
8.3 Patron format name .10
8.4 Patron format type.10
8.5 ASN.1 OID for this patron format .10
8.6 Domain of use .11
8.7 Version identifier .11
8.8 CBEFF version .11
8.9 General .11
8.10 Patron format specification.11
8.11 ASN.1 Specification .12
9 Patron format specification: Presence byte-oriented patron format .12
9.1 Patron .12
9.2 Patron format owner .12
9.3 Patron format name .12
9.4 Patron format type.12
9.5 ASN.1 OID for this patron format .12
9.6 Domain of use .12
9.7 Version identifier .13
9.8 CBEFF version .13
9.9 General .13
9.10 Specification .13
9.11 ASN.1 Specification .15
10 Patron format specification: Presence bit-oriented patron format .16
10.1 Patron .16
10.2 Patron format owner .16
10.3 Patron format name .16
10.4 Patron format type.16
© ISO/IEC 2020 – All rights reserved iii

10.5 ASN.1 OID for this patron format .16
10.6 Domain of use .16
10.7 Version identifier .16
10.8 CBEFF version .16
10.9 General .16
10.10 ASN.1 Specification .17
11 Patron format specification: TLV-encoded patron format, for use with smartcards
or other tokens (with implicit tag allocation authority) .18
11.1 Patron .18
11.2 Patron format owner .18
11.3 Patron format name .18
11.4 Patron format type.18
11.5 ASN.1 OID for this patron format .18
11.6 Domain of Use .18
11.7 Version identifier .19
11.8 CBEFF version .19
11.9 General .19
11.10 ASN.1 specification .21
11.11 Tabular representations for information .23
11.11.1 The Biometric Information Template used for on-card biometric comparison .23
11.11.2 The Biometric Information Template used for off-card biometric comparison .24
11.12 The Biometric Information Template Group Data Object .25
11.13 Abstract values and encodings for biometric type and subtype .26
11.14 Patron format conformance statement .27
11.14.1 Identifying information .27
11.14.2 CBEFF-defined data elements and abstract values .27
11.14.3 Patron-defined data elements and abstract values .27
12 Patron format specification: Complex patron format .28
12.1 Patron .28
12.2 Patron format owner .28
12.3 Patron format name .28
12.4 Patron format type.28
12.5 ASN.1 OID for this patron format .28
12.6 Domain of use .28
12.7 Version identifier .28
12.8 CBEFF version .28
12.9 General .28
12.10 Specification .29
12.11 Illustrative examples .34
12.12 ASN.1 definition (provided for illustrative purposes only) .37
13 Patron format specification: XML-full patron format (with additional data elements) .38
13.1 Patron .38
13.2 Patron format owner .38
13.3 Patron format name .38
13.4 Patron format type.38
13.5 ASN.1 OID for this patron format .38
13.6 Domain of use .39
13.7 Version identifier .39
13.8 CBEFF version .39
13.9 General .39
13.10 Specification .39
13.11 Element .40
13.11.1 Syntax .40
13.11.2 Semantics .41
13.12 Element .41
13.12.1 Syntax .41
13.12.2 Semantics .42
iv © ISO/IEC 2020 – All rights reserved

13.13 Element .42
13.13.1 Syntax .42
13.13.2 Semantics .42
13.14 Element .43
13.14.1 Syntax .43
13.14.2 Semantics .43
13.15 Element .44
13.15.1 Syntax .44
13.15.2 Semantics .45
13.16 Element of BDBInfoType.49
13.16.1 Syntax .49
13.16.2 Semantics .49
13.17 Element .50
13.17.1 Syntax .50
13.17.2 Semantics .50
13.18 Element .50
13.18.1 Syntax .50
13.18.2 Semantics .50
13.19 Element .50
13.19.1 Syntax .50
13.19.2 Semantics .51
13.20 Element .51
13.20.1 Syntax .51
13.20.2 Semantics .51
13.21 Element .51
13.21.1 Syntax .51
13.21.2 Semantics .51
13.22 Element .52
13.22.1 Syntax .52
13.22.2 Semantics .52
13.23 Element .52
13.23.1 Syntax .52
13.23.2 Semantics .52
13.24 Element .53
13.24.1 Syntax .53
13.24.2 Semantics .53
13.25 Element of SBInfoType .53
13.25.1 Syntax .53
13.25.2 Semantics .53
13.26 Representation of Integers .53
13.27 Representation of Octet Strings .54
13.28 Representation of Date and Time of the Day .54
13.29 Representation of Universally Unique Identifiers .55
13.30 XML schema of the patron format .55
13.31 ASN.1 schema of the patron format .58
13.32 An example of a simple BIR in XML encoding (complying with the ASN.1 schema,
the XSD schema, and the normative textual description) .62
13.33 An example of a complex BIR in XML encoding (complying with the ASN.1 schema,
the XSD schema, and the normative textual description) .62
14 Patron format specification: full-complex patron format .65
14.1 Patron .65
14.2 Patron format owner .65
14.3 Patron format name .65
14.4 Patron format type.65
14.5 ASN.1 OID for this patron format .65
14.6 Domain of use .65
14.7 Version identifier .66
14.8 CBEFF version .66
© ISO/IEC 2020 – All rights reserved v

14.9 General .66
14.10 Specification .66
14.11 Illustrative examples .72
14.12 ASN.1 definition (provided for illustrative purposes only) .75
15 Patron format specification: Biometric application programming interface (BioAPI 2.0) .76
16 Patron format specification: Self-identifying Tag-oriented Simple BIR .76
16.1 Patron .76
16.2 Patron format owner .76
16.3 Patron format name .76
16.4 Patron format type.76
16.5 ASN.1 OID for this patron format .76
16.6 Domain of use .77
16.7 Version identifier .77
16.8 CBEFF version .77
16.9 General .77
16.10 Specification .78
16.11 Illustrative examples .82
16.12 ASN.1 definition .82
17 Patron format specification: Self-identifying, Tag-oriented Complex BIR .86
17.1 Patron .86
17.2 Patron format owner .86
17.3 Patron format name .86
17.4 Patron format type.87
17.5 ASN.1 OID for this patron format .87
17.6 Domain of use .87
17.7 Version identifier .87
17.8 CBEFF version .87
17.9 General .87
17.10 Specification .88
17.11 Illustrative example .90
17.12 ASN.1 definition .90
18 Patron format specification: PAD patron format (Linking BDB with PAD Sample) .92
18.1 Patron .92
18.2 Patron format owner .92
18.3 Patron format name .92
18.4 Patron format type.92
18.5 ASN.1 OID for this patron format .92
18.6 Domain of use .92
18.7 Version identifier .92
18.8 CBEFF version .92
18.9 General .92
18.10 Specification .93
18.11 Illustrative example .95
18.12 ASN.1 definition .96
19 Patron format specification: TLV-encoded patron format for ICCs and other tokens
(with explicit tag allocation authority) .99
19.1 Patron .99
19.2 Patron format owner .99
19.3 Patron format name .99
19.4 Patron format type.99
19.5 ASN.1 OID for this patron format .99
19.6 Domain of Use .99
19.7 Version identifier .99
19.8 CBEFF version .99
19.9 General .99
19.10 ASN.1 specification .102
vi © ISO/IEC 2020 – All rights reserved

19.11 Tabular representations for information .107
19.11.1 The Biometric Information Template used for on-card biometric comparison .107
19.11.2 The Biometric Information Template used for off-card biometric comparison .111
19.12 The Biometric Information Template Group Data Object .114
19.13 Abstract values and encodings for biometric type and subtype .114
19.14 Illustrative examples .114
Annex A (informative) Guidelines on the specification of patron formats .115
Annex B (informative) Conformance of the defined patron formats .119
Annex C (normative) Coding specifications for tagged patron formats .131
Annex D (informative) Information and clarifications to Clause 11 .147
Bibliography .
...