This part of ISO/IEC 19794 specifies a data record interchange format for storing, recording, and transmitting the information from one or more finger or palm image areas. This can be used for the exchange and comparison of finger image data. It defines the content, format, and units of measurement for the exchange of finger image data that may be used for enrolment, verification, or identification of a subject. The information consists of a variety of mandatory and optional items, including scanning parameters, compressed or uncompressed images and vendor-specific information. This information is intended for interchange among organizations that rely on automated devices and systems for identification or verification purposes based on the information from finger image areas. Information compiled and formatted in accordance with this part of ISO/IEC 19794 can be recorded on machine-readable media or may be transmitted by data communication facilities.

This part of ISO/IEC 19794 also specifies elements of conformance testing methodology, test assertions, and test procedures as applicable to this part of ISO/IEC 19794. It establishes test assertions pertaining to the structure of the finger image data format (Type A Level 1 as defined in ISO/IEC 19794‑1:2011 AMD 1), test assertions pertaining to internal consistency of the types of values that may be contained within each field (Type A Level 2 as defined in ISO/IEC 19794‑1:2011 AMD 1), and semantic test assertions (Type A Level 3 as defined in ISO/IEC 19794‑1:2011 AMD 1).

The conformance testing methodology specified in this part of ISO/IEC 19794 does not establish: