IEC 62055-41-2018 PDF

Full title and description

IEC 62055-41:2018 — Electricity metering — Payment systems — Part 41: Standard transfer specification (STS) — Application layer protocol for one-way token carrier systems. This international standard specifies the STS application-layer protocol used to transfer units of credit and management information from a point-of-sale (POS) system to an STS-compliant payment meter via one-way tokens; it is primarily intended for energy-based prepayment electricity meters but also supports currency-based tokens and services other than electricity.

Abstract

IEC 62055-41:2018 (3rd edition) defines token formats, APDU structures and application-layer procedures for one-way token carrier systems (STS). The edition updates token classes, refines credit resolution for some media, updates cryptographic and key-derivation provisions, adds support for virtual token carriers (DLMS/COSEM), and revises KMS and test/display token requirements to reflect contemporary best practice. It is intended to be read in conjunction with the broader IEC 62055-5x series.

General information

• Status: Published / Active (3rd edition).
• Publication date: 28 March 2018.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 17.220.20; 35.100.70; 91.140.50.
• Edition / version: Edition 3.0 (2018).
• Number of pages: 257 (standard edition PDF).

Key bibliographic and status details above are taken from the IEC publication record and standard catalogues.

Scope

Specifies the STS application-layer protocol for transferring units of credit and management information from POS systems to STS-compliant payment meters using one‑way tokens. The scope covers token formats and classes (credit transfer, meter test/display, power-limit setting, clear-credit, key‑change tokens, etc.), APDU semantics, handling of manufacturer and token identifiers, and guidance for certificate/registration and key-management arrangements. While focused on electricity prepayment meters that use energy-based tokens, the standard also provides mechanisms applicable to currency‑based tokens and to other services such as water, gas and time.

Key topics and requirements

• Application‑layer message and token formats (APDUs) for one‑way STS token transfers.
• Defined token classes: TransferCredit, InitiateMeterTest/Display, SetMaximumPowerLimit, ClearCredit, Key change and test tokens, etc.
• Support for currency transfer tokens and finer resolution for gas/time credit transfers introduced in the 2018 edition.
• Cryptographic and key‑derivation updates: addition of DKGA04, addition of MISTY1 algorithm (128‑bit DecoderKey), withdrawal of some older DES/3DES usages in specific algorithms while maintaining backwards considerations where required.
• Provision for DLMS/COSEM as a virtual token carrier type (virtual carrier support).
• Revised Key Management System (KMS) guidance, handling of SGC transfer via key‑change tokens, and updated guidelines for TID rollover and BaseDate referencing to UTC.
• Requirements and revisions for test/display tokens and reserved manufacturer code values for certification/testing purposes.

The bullets above summarise the principal technical requirements and notable changes introduced in the 2018 edition.

Typical use and users

Primary users are manufacturers of STS‑compliant payment meters and POS/token‑generation systems, utilities and service providers implementing prepayment systems, test laboratories, certification bodies and system integrators. The standard is used to ensure interoperability between vending/POS systems and meters, to guide secure token and key management implementation, and to support conformity testing and product certification.

Related standards

IEC 62055-41:2018 is intended to be used together with other parts of the IEC 62055 STS series (commonly referenced as IEC 62055-5x and related parts), and with physical-layer and data-link layer specifications such as IEC 62055-52 (STS physical-layer protocol for two‑way virtual token carriers) and meter particular requirements in IEC 62055-31. Historical and predecessor documents include IEC PAS 62055-41 (2003) and earlier IEC 62055-41 editions (2007, 2014).

Keywords

STS, standard transfer specification, one-way token carrier, prepayment meter, payment systems, token format, APDU, DLMS/COSEM virtual carrier, key management, cryptographic algorithms (MISTY1, DKGA04), TID rollover, BaseDate, POS token generation.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 62055-41:2018 defines the application‑layer protocol of the Standard Transfer Specification (STS) used to transfer credit and management information via one‑way tokens from a POS to an STS‑compliant payment meter.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers token and APDU formats, token classes and semantics, handling of identifiers and manufacturer codes, cryptographic/key‑derivation methods and key management guidance, virtual token carrier support (DLMS/COSEM), and normative requirements for test/display and key change tokens. The edition also introduces support for currency tokens and refines credit resolution for gas and time.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Meter manufacturers, POS/vending system vendors, utilities and service providers deploying prepayment systems, test houses and certification organizations use it to ensure secure, interoperable token-based vending and meter acceptance.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As published on 28 March 2018, IEC 62055-41:2018 is the 3rd edition and supersedes the 2014 edition; IEC records list the 2018 edition as the current published edition (stability indicated through 2027 on the IEC record). Users should confirm whether a later edition or amendment has been published after 2018 before relying on the standard for new developments.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the IEC 62055 series (STS and payment systems). It is designed to be read in conjunction with other parts of the series such as IEC 62055-5x, IEC 62055-52 (physical-layer protocols), and IEC 62055-31 (particular meter requirements).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: STS, token, prepayment, application layer, APDU, DLMS/COSEM, key management, cryptography, MISTY1, DKGA04, POS, payment meter.