scope:

ISO 8583 specifies a common interface by which financial transaction card-originated messages can be interchanged between acquirers and card issuers. It specifies message structure and format, including normalized data types. Actual message, field, value definitions and supporting information are now found on the ISO web site at the following location: http://standards.iso.org/iso/8583 The method by which messages are transported or settlement takes place is not within the scope of ISO 8583. NOTE - With the proliferation of technology available to financial institutions to offer services to customers, a range of tokens now exist for identifying account relationships (e.g., financial transaction cards). In order to maintain clarity, ISO 8583 will continue to use card terminology that will apply to tokens and cards, unless the element is specific to token or card and then it will be identified as such. However, readers should be aware that the actual token numeric issued by a financial institution may be different from the associated card numeric.