This part of ISO/IEC 7811 is one of a series of standards describing the parameters for identification cards as defined in the definitions clause and the use of such cards for international interchange.

This part of ISO/IEC 7811 specifies requirements for embossed characters on identification cards. The embossed characters are intended for transfer of data either by use of imprinters or by visual or machine reading. It takes into consideration both human and machine aspects and states minimum requirements. It is the purpose of this series of standards to provide criteria to which cards shall perform. No consideration is given within these standards to the amount of use, if any, experienced by the card prior to test. Failure to conform to specified criteria should be negotiated between the involved parties.

ISO/IEC 10373-1 specifies the test procedures used to check cards against the parameters specified in this part of ISO/IEC 7811.

NOTE Numeric values in the SI and/or Imperial measurement system in this part of ISO/IEC 7811 may have been rounded off and therefore are consistent with, but not exactly equal to, each other. Either system may be used, but the two should not be intermixed or reconverted. The original design was made using the Imperial measurement system.