This International Standard establishes a) a container identification system which allows the transfer of information from a freight container to an automatic processing system by electronic means, b) a data coding system for container identification and permanent related information which resides within an electronic device called a tag installed on a freight container, c) a data coding system for the electronic transfer of both container identification and permanent related information from an electronic device installed on a freight container to automatic data processing systems, d) the description of the data to be included in the tag for transmission to the sensing equipment, e) performance criteria necessary to ensure consistent and reliable operation of the automatic equipment identification (AEI) system within the international transportation community, f) requirements for the physical location of the electronic device on freight containers, and g) security features to inhibit malicious or unintentional alteration of the information content of the electronic device when installed on a freight container. It specifies all necessary user requirements in order to permit international use of the tag without modification or adjustment. This International Standard applies to freight containers as defined in ISO 668 (see 3.1). The use of AEI systems and the equipping of containers for automatic identification is not mandatory. The purpose of this International Standard is to optimize the efficiency of equipment control systems. For this reason, any AEI system used for identifying containers shall conform to and be compatible with this International Standard.