Understanding ICAR and ISO Standards for Pet Microchips

As Thailand moves toward nationwide pet microchipping regulations—starting with the Bangkok 2026 Animal Control Ordinance—it's essential for veterinarians, pet owners, and animal care professionals to understand the global standards behind microchip technology.

Let’s explore the key differences and significance of ICAR and ISO standards, and why they matter when choosing a pet microchip.

What Is ICAR Certification?

ICAR stands for the International Committee for Animal Recording, an international organization that certifies and monitors identification equipment used in animals—including microchips and scanners.

🔍 Key Roles of ICAR:

• Certifies the quality and compatibility of microchips and readers

• Assigns unique manufacturer codes to approved microchip producers

• Maintains a publicly accessible registry of approved products

Why Choose an ICAR-Certified Microchip?

• ✅ Ensures global manufacturing standards and quality control

• ✅ Guarantees that the microchip has a unique and traceable ID number

• ✅ Enables trace-back to the manufacturer via the code embedded in the chip

Using an ICAR-certified microchip helps prevent duplicate chip IDs and ensures long-term traceability—crucial for lost pet recovery and responsible ownership.

What Are ISO 11784 and ISO 11785?

ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, sets global standards across industries. For pet microchipping, ISO 11784 and ISO 11785 are the two critical technical specifications.

• ISO 11784: Defines the structure of the microchip number—a 15-digit numeric code

• ISO 11785: Defines the technical format of radio frequency communication between the microchip and scanner

✅ Benefits of ISO-Standard Microchips:

• Compatible across brands and devices globally

• Ensure standardized communication protocols

• Can be read by any ISO-compliant scanner

ICAR vs ISO: What's the Difference?

What Does the 15-Digit Microchip Number Mean?

An ISO-compliant pet microchip contains a 15-digit ID number, broken down into:

(First 3 digits: Country or Manufacturer Code) + (Last 12 digits: Unique Animal ID)

Examples:

• 764 = Thailand

• 410 = South Korea

• 840 = United States

Microchips with a country code prefix are often used in national programs or government-issued ID systems.

Manufacturer Codes: Shared vs. Unshared

ICAR assigns manufacturer codes in two forms:

Shared Manufacturer Codes:

• Used by multiple producers

• Common for small-scale or entry-level manufacturers

• Examples: 900, 981

• ❌ Harder to trace the chip’s origin

• ⚠️ Higher risk of ID duplication

Unshared Manufacturer Codes:

• Assigned to a single manufacturer meeting high-volume and quality standards

• Require consistent sales over 1 million chips/year for 2+ years

• Unique to each producer—traceable and more secure

• Example: 991 for AnyVet Microchip

• ✅ Lower risk of duplication

• ✅ Higher market trust

Comparison: Shared vs. Unshared Manufacturer Codes in Microchips

Why ID Duplication Can Still Happen (And How to Prevent It)

Although ICAR certification is meant to avoid ID conflicts, duplication can still occur—especially with shared manufacturer codes.

Here’s why:

• Shared code manufacturers must self-report chip batches

• ICAR cannot always verify each number across multiple producers

• Accidental duplication can occur, and it’s often impossible to trace back to the original source

To avoid this, choose a microchip with an ICAR unshared manufacturer code, like AnyVet’s 991-series chips, for maximum uniqueness and accountability.

The Importance of Choosing a Standards-Compliant Microchip

As microchipping becomes mandatory in Bangkok starting 2026, consumers and veterinary professionals must become more informed about product standards.

Microchips may last a lifetime inside a pet—so the quality, compatibility, and traceability of that chip should never be compromised.

✅ Always ask:
“Is this microchip certified by ICAR?”
“Is it compliant with ISO 11784 and ISO 11785?”

Trusted Microchip Technology by AnyVet

AnyVet Microchip delivers ICAR-certified and ISO-compliant products to support long-term animal identification and responsible pet ownership in Thailand.

• Safe for dogs, cats, and exotic pets

• Available at over 500 partner veterinary clinics nationwide

• Secure online registration with 24/7 database access

Find a Partner Clinic Near You

Contact: Line Official @anyvet
Call: 065-939-5785
Facebook / Instagram: AnyVet TH