What is an IIN?

The Issuer Identification Number (IIN) is the first six digits of the account number on a plastic card, where the card is to be used either internationally or inter-industry.

In the case of a national IIN that starts with "9826", the IIN is the first eight digits i.e. "9826xxxx", with digits 5-8 being assigned by APACS.

The whole number that appears embossed on a plastic card is known as the Primary Account Number (PAN), and has a maximum length of 19 digits. There are three elements to the PAN:

	Issuer Identification Number	Account Number	Check Digit
International PANs	Six digits	Variable up to 12 digits	Last digit
National PANs	Eight digits	Variable up to 10 digits	Last digit

The Three Elements of the Primary Account Number (PAN)

The IIN has two purposes:

• Identify the card issuer
• Tell the acquirer and card issuer who to route the transaction to

Do I need an IIN?

Anyone setting up a plastic card scheme that will be used outside of a closed system needs to apply for an IIN. For example, if you are implementing a store card that will only be read by the terminals within your store, i.e. there is no "interchange" of information with other parties, then you do not need to apply for an IIN. However, you should call APACS for advice on what number ranges to use and what number ranges to avoid (020 7711 6255).

If, however, information on the card will be read by terminals in other stores and/or the information will be interchanged with other parties, e.g. a bank for a payment transaction, then you need to apply for an IIN.

Do I need a national IIN or an international IIN?

National IINs

If your institution is based in the UK, and the card that you are going to issue will only be used within the UK, then you should apply for a national IIN.

Caution:

• Before submitting your application form to APACS for a national IIN, please check with the designer of your system that the card-reading device will be able to read and route on an eight-digit identifier, rather than a six-digit identifier.
• Ensure that your customer account number has a maximum of 10 digits, and that your final Primary Account Number (PAN) will not be more than 19 digits including the check digit.

International IINs — UK-based organisations

If your organisation is based within the UK, but the card that you are going to issue will be used in Europe, internationally or across different industries, e.g. retail and payments industries, then you should apply for an international IIN.

Apply for an IIN

(Applications from organisations based outside the UK)

The Secretariat of ISO/IEC JTC1/SC17 — Cards and personal identification, can sponsor applications for IINs from institutions based in countries where the national standards body is either unable or unwilling to sponsor such applications itself.

For information as to whether your national standards body can sponsor your application, please contact beverley.redwood@apacs.org.uk with the name of the country in which your organisation is based.

Should APACS be unable to sponsor your application, you will be provided with a telephone number or URL of your national standards body that can help you.

If APACS is able to sponsor your application, you will be provided with a zip file containing all the information you need for the application process, e.g. an application form, payment details, important information regarding applications for IINs.

Payment details

Full details on how to pay are provided in each of the appropriate zip files. Summary details are given below:

National IINs (for cards designed for use within the UK only)
Cost £293.75
Note: There is no annual maintenance charge for national IINs.
Application Form for a UK national IIN (ZIP: 130k)

International IINs (for institutions based within the UK for cards designed for international acceptance)
Cost £470
In addition, UK card issuers are charged an annual maintenance fee of £35.25 starting on the first anniversary of the assignment.
Application Form for an international IIN for an institution based in the UK (ZIP: 146k)

International IINs (for institutions based outside the UK where applications are to be sponsored by the SC17 Secretariat)
Cost £470
There is no annual maintenance fee for applications sponsored by the ISO/IEC JTC1/SC17 Secretariat.
Application Form for an international IIN for an institution based outside the UK (ZIP: 2340k)