Bovine official electronic identification (EID) technical standards
Published 3 August 2021
© Crown copyright 2021
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bovine-official-electronic-identification-eid-technical-standards/bovine-official-electronic-identification-eid-technical-standards
Approval of bovine official EID transponders
EID approval processes
Low frequency transponders
1) GB requires all low frequency (LF) transponders approved for use in GB to meet International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standards 11784 and 11785. They must also meet the tests in Part II of this document. The testing can be carried out by any laboratory which meets the appropriate ISO standards 17025. The British Standards Institution (BSI) is the GB test laboratory for the additional testing.
2) ISO 24631: Radio frequency of animals - confirms the appointment of the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) as the Registration Authority and sets out procedures for testing transceivers and transponders against ISO 11784/5.
3) Certificates must be supplied to British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) which confirm that ISO standards 11784 and 11785 are met, in line with the method and achievement of minimum performance on reading distances, detailed in point 7 of standard ISO 24631-1:2017.
4) Full ICAR testing and provision of product/manufacturer code is optional. However, it is likely that full ICAR testing will be needed for transponder sales outside GB. The supplier should check with the country of marketing. If testing is carried out by an ICAR-approved laboratory, this gives the manufacturer/supplier the option of using the transponder globally.
5) ICAR-approved test centres are based at: IMA Wageningen, Netherlands; and CETIM, Nantes, France
Ultra high frequency transponders
6) Where ultra high frequency (UHF) transponders are permitted for official use by the competent authority, they must comply with ISO 18000-6c only. The testing can be carried out by any laboratory which meets the appropriate ISO standards (17025).
7) Certificates must be supplied to BCMS which confirm that ISO standard 18000-6c has been met.
Eartag approval process
8) The Bovine Official EID Technical Standards are one part of the process by which eartags containing a transponder encoded with the animal’s official identification are approved for use in GB. The approval process consists of:
a. table-top assessments by the Competent Authority. These should show that the eartag meets basic specifications and welfare standards so it can move to the next stage of testing
b. the Welfare Assessment – Cattle
c. PAS 44: 2019
d. Bovine Official EID technical standards. Part I only for UHF and Parts I and II for LF.
9) When these steps are completed successfully, you can apply for and receive approval from BCMS to supply an approved device.
10) Defra may add additional steps to the approval process as a result of performance issues of devices. This standard will therefore be kept under review.
Readers
11) There is no regulatory requirement for readers to have specific approval from a Competent Authority.
Part I
Bovine EID
ISO Standards
Low frequency transponders
1) Low frequency electronic identifiers must be:
a. read-only passive transponders applying HDX or FDX-B technology, complying with standards ISO standards 11784:1996 and 11785:1996
b. readable by reading devices, which meet standard ISO 11785:1996, capable of reading HDX and FDX- B transponders
2) They must be readable at the minimum reading distance as follows:
a. 12 cm for ear tag when read with a portable reader
b. 25 cm for ruminal bolus and 15 cm for injectable transponder when read with a portable reader
c. 80 cm for all identifiers when read with a stationary reader
3) Tests should show that they:
a. meet standards ISO 11784:1996 and 11785:1996, in line with the method referred to in point 7 of standard ISO 24631-1:2017; and
b. achieve minimum performance on reading distances referred in point 2 in line with the procedures referred to in point 7 of the standard ISO 24631-3:2017
4) The structure of the transponder code should meet with ISO standard 11784 and the descriptions set out in Table 1.
Table 1: Code structure of electronic transponders used for Bovine EID
| Bit No | Information | Combinations | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flag for animal (1) or non-animal (0) application | 2 | This bit shows whether the transponder is used for animal identification or not. In all animal applications this bit is 1. |
| 2-4 | Retagging counter (0 to 7) | 8 | At the first application of an electronic identifier to an animal, you should set the number (retagging code) to 0. When an animal needs to be re-tagged (due to a lost or failed electronic device) you should set this number to 1 for the first re-tagging. As there are 8 codes, it is possible to retag the same animal up to 7 times |
| 5-9 | User information field | 32 | ISO 11784 allows these 5 bits to be used for information defined by the user. This means the Competent Authority in each country is responsible for the approval and assignment of the individual identification code to an animal and may also decide to include codification of animal species in the transponder. Member States, in relation to 21/2004, have all agreed to use the information field for the codification of animal species by using the last two digits of the codification previously established by Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87, of 23 July 1987, for the implementation of tariff and statistical nomenclature for the Common Custom Tariff. The species code for bovines is 02. |
| 10-14 | Reserved field | 32 | Empty. You should set the value of these bits to 0. |
| 15 | RUDI-bit | 2 | You have the option to set to 1 to show there is an advanced transponder with more information stored after the animal number. |
| 16 | Flag indicating the existence of a data block 1 or no data block 0. | 2 | Set to 0 or 1 as appropriate. |
| 17-26 | ISO 3166 numeric 3 digit country code | 1024 | The UK Country Code is 0826. |
| 27-64 | National unique animal identification code | 274 877 906 944 | Unique number within UK for all animal species. If the national identification code is less than 12 digits, the space between the national identification code and the country code should be completed with zeros. |
Ultra high frequency transponders
1) Where ultra high frequency (UHF) transponders are permitted for official use by the competent authority, they must meet ISO 18000-6c only. The testing can be carried out by any laboratory which meets the appropriate ISO standards (17025).
Part II
Bovine EID
Additional robustness and endurance testing required by GB
Mechanical and thermal robustness tests
1) The capacity of an identifier type to withstand mechanical and thermal stresses is evaluated by the test sequence laid down in Table 2.
2) The change of temperature test subjects the identifiers to differential thermal expansion stresses and is indicative of the compatibility of the materials used in identifier construction.
3) The shock test for eartags simulates an impact. The severities for the dry heat and cold tests are appropriate for storage in locations which may have openings directly to the open air i.e. partially weather protected as defined in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 60721-3-1 Classification of groups of environmental parameters and their severities – Section 1: Storage.
Table 2: Mechanical and thermal robustness test sequence for Electronic Identifiers
| Identifier Type | Standard | Test Severity |
|---|---|---|
| All types | IEC 60068-2-14 | Test Na – Change of temperature; Ta -40˚C, Tb +85˚C, exposure time 1 hour, 10 cycles. |
| Ear-tag only | IEC 60068-2-27 | Test Ea – Shock: 2 shocks: 100g / 3ms; half-sine pulse; applied along main axis (temperatures to be considered). |
| Bolus only | IEC 60068-2-32 | Test Ed – Free fall: From 1 metre height onto concrete surface; 3 attitudes, 2 drops in each attitude. |
| All types | IEC 60068-2-2 | Test Bb – Dry Heat: +70˚C +/- 2˚C for 48 hours. |
| All types | IEC 60068-2-1 | Test Ab – Cold: -40˚C +/- 2˚C for 48 hours. |
4) At the end of each test, each identifier is subjected to a visual inspection, functional verification, and a performance check.
5) The visual inspection after each test should confirm the integrity of the identifier and the absence of plastic (i.e. permanent) deformation.
6) The functional verification after each test should confirm the integrity of the electronic identification code.
7) The performance checks after each test with an ISO compliant reader should confirm the absence of a permanent reduction of reading distance at the end of the test sequence.
Endurance tests
8) The capacity of an identifier type to operate after prolonged electrical, mechanical and thermal stresses is evaluated by the test sequence laid down in Table 3.
9) The swept-frequency vibration test subjects the identifiers to a wide range of vibration frequencies which may take place at various stages in the identifier’s life-cycle (e.g. transport). Eartag functionality is verified at extreme operating temperatures. Long-term exposure to damp heat simulates the effects of ageing.
| Identifier Type | Standard | Test Severity |
|---|---|---|
| All types | IEC 60068-2-6 | Test Fc – Vibration (sinusoidal); Frequency sweep 10 Hz – 2000Hz; 0.75mm displacement / 10 g peak accel., crossover at 60Hz; sweep rate 1 octave / min; 10 cycles. |
| Ear-tags only | IEC 60068-2-2 | Test Bb – Dry Heat: +55˚C +/- 2˚C for 24 hours; functional verification (reading of identification codes). |
| Ear-tags only | IEC 60068-2-1 | Test Ab – Cold: -25˚C +/- 2˚C for 24 hours; functional verification (reading of identification codes). |
| All types | IEC 60068-2-78 | Test Cab – Damp heat: +40˚C / 93% relative humidity; 21 days exposure; function verification (reading of identification codes). |
Table 3: Endurance test sequence for electronic identifiers
10) Visual inspection after each test should confirm the integrity of the identifier and the absence of plastic (i.e. permanent) deformation.
11) Functional verifications during and / or after each test should confirm the integrity of the electronic identification code.
12) Performance checks made after each test with an ISO compliant reader should confirm the absence of a permanent reduction of reading distance at the end of the test sequence.
List and details of standards and reference documents
| Standard | Title | Date of Issue |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 11784 | Radio-frequency identification of animals — Code structure Amendment 1 |
1996-08-15 2004-11-15 |
| ISO 11785 | Radio-frequency identification of animals - Technical concept | 1996-10-15 |
| ISO 3166 | Codes for the representation of names of countries and their subdivisions – Part 1: Country codes | 1997 |
| ICAR — Part 1 | Conformance Evaluation of RFID Devices, Part 1: ISO 11784/11785 conformance of Transponders including granting and use of a Manufacturer Code | June 2004 |
| ICAR — Part 2 | Conformance Evaluation of RFID Devices. Part 2: ISO 11784/11785_— conformance of transceivers | June 20004 |
| ICAR — Part 3 | Conformance Evaluation of RFID Devices. Part 3: Conformance test for non-synchronising transceivers for reading ISO 11784/11785 transponders | June 2004 |
| ISO 17025 | General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories | 2005 05.15 |
| IEC 60068-2-1 | Environmental testing - Part 2: Tests A: Cold Amendment 1 Amendment 2 |
1990-04 1993-02 1994-05 |
| IEC 60068-2-2 | Environmental testing - Part 2: Tests B: Dry heat Amendment 1 Amendment 2 |
1974 1993-01 1994-05 |
| IEC 60068-2-6 | Environmental testing - Part 2: Test Fc: Vibration (sinusoidal) | 1995-03 |
| IEC 60068-2-14 | Environmental testing - Part 2: Test Na: Change of temperature Amendment 1 |
1984 1986-04 |
| IEC 60068-2-27 | Environmental testing. Part 2: Test Ea and guidance: Shock | 1987/03 |
| IEC 60068-2-32 | Environmental testing. Part 2: Test Ed: Free fall Amendment 2 |
1975/02 1990-10 |
| IEC 60068-2-78 | Environmental testing - Part 2-78: Test Cab: Damp heat. Steady state | 2001-08 |
| IEC 60721-3-1 | Classification of environmental conditions — Part 3: Classification of groups of environmental parameters and their severities — Section 1: Storage | 1997-02 |
| IEC 6100-3-2 | Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) — Part 3-2: Limits — Limits for harmonic current emissions | 2001-01 |
| IEC 61000-4-2 | Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) — Part 4-2: Testing and measurement techniques — Electrostatic immunity test | 1999-05 |
| IEC 61000-4-3 | Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 4-3: Testing and measurement techniques - Radiated, radio-frequency, electro-magnetic field immunity test Amendment 1 Amendment 2 |
2002-03 |
| IEC 61000-4-4 | Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 4: Testing and measurement techniques - Section 4: Electrical fast transient/burst immunity test. Amendment 1 Amendment 2 |
1995-01 2000-11 2001-07 |
| IEC 61000-4-6 | Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 4-6: Testing and measurement techniques - Immunity to conducted disturbances, induced by radio-frequency fields | 2003-05 |