This International Standard specifies the characteristics and location of a magnetic stripe on a savingsbook as defined in Clause 4 and the use of such savingsbooks for international interchange. Compatibility with international interchange systems is provided through the requirements of this International Standard, enabling a savingsbook with a magnetic stripe to be read and possibly encoded in a device that is compatible with reading identification cards used in international interchange. This International Standard specifies requirements for a magnetic stripe (including any protective overlay) on a savingsbook, the encoding technique and coded character sets. It also specifies the characteristics of the savingsbook cover such as stiffness, minimum size, surface irregularities, roughness and interaction between the cover material and the magnetic stripe. It takes into consideration both human and machine aspects and states minimum requirements. Coercivity influences many of the quantities specified in this International Standard but is not itself specified. Exposure of the savingsbook to a magnetic field is likely to destroy the recorded data. This International Standard defines performance criteria for savingsbooks. No consideration is given within this International Standard to the amount of use, if any, experienced by the savingsbook prior to test. Failure to conform to specified criteria should be negotiated between the involved parties. ISO/IEC 10373-2 specifies the test procedures used to check savingsbooks against the parameters specified in this International Standard. References in the test method to cards shall refer to savingsbooks. NOTE 1 Numeric values in the SI and/or Imperial measurement system in this International Standard 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. NOTE 2 National systems may use different specifications, such as DIN, as well as proprietary specifications for closed systems.