scope:

The present document specifies the application-independent characteristics of multi-application Integrated Circuit (IC) cards and plug-in modules for telecommunication applications in order to ensure interoperability for telecommunication cards with the various systems and terminals. Mono-application cards are considered to be a subset of multi-application cards. All common characteristics, necessary for the interactions between the card and the external world are defined.

The present document does not preclude cards from other sectors from containing telecommunication application(s) based on the present document.

The application-specific characteristics are not defined in the present document. They are defined and described in the relevant application requirements.

The present document does not specify any internal technical implementation. It describes:

a) the requirements for the physical characteristics of the card, the electronic signals and the transmission protocols;

b) the application-independent logical model which should be used as a basis for the design of the logical structure of, optionally, several applications in the card;

c) the security facilities concerning the access to the different parts within the card and the possible interactions between these parts. Also the description of security functions which should be needed generally by the various applications. They shouldbe available as a common set;

d) the description of the application-independent functions between card and external world, should be used as a standardized common set for all basic functions used in international applications;

e) the mapping of these application messages (commands and responses) under standardized protocols;

f) the contents of the Master File (MF);

g) the interoperability of IC cards;

h) the overall security aspects for card-manufacturers, application providers and card-issuers.