ISO 3901-2019 PDF

Full title and description

Information and documentation — International Standard Recording Code (ISRC). This International Standard specifies the International Standard Recording Code used for the unique identification of audio recordings and music video recordings (analogue or digital) and defines its structure, permitted uses and exclusions.

Abstract

This document specifies the International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) for the unique identification of recordings. The ISRC is applicable to audio recordings and music video recordings in analogue or digital form, but is not intended for numbering carriers, packages or other forms of audiovisual recordings. The standard notes its relationship to other identifiers (for example ISAN and DOI) and clarifies where ISRC is and is not applicable.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard; confirmed in 2024).
• Publication date: February 2019 (Edition 3, 2019).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 01.140.20 (Information sciences; documentation).
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (2019).
• Number of pages: 12.

(General information items above are taken from the ISO record for ISO 3901:2019.)

Scope

ISO 3901:2019 defines the ISRC and specifies how it is used to identify individual audio recordings and music video recordings. It excludes use for numbering physical carriers or packaging and clarifies interoperability with other identifier systems (for example ISO 15706 / ISAN and ISO 26324 / DOI). The scope is limited to identifying recordings themselves rather than products, carriers or mixed-media packages.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and structure of the ISRC (code syntax and elements).
• Rules for assignment and registration of ISRCs (who may assign and how).
• Permitted uses and explicit exclusions (carriers, packages, other audiovisual forms).
• Relationship and interoperability guidance with other identifier systems (e.g., ISAN, DOI).
• Maintenance and update arrangements via the ISRC registration/maintenance authority.

Typical use and users

Used by record producers, music and video distributors, rights management organizations, metadata providers, libraries and archives, digital service platforms and registration/maintenance authorities to uniquely identify recordings for licensing, cataloguing, distribution and archival purposes. Implementers include commercial music services, national ISRC agencies and cultural heritage institutions.

Related standards

ISO 3901:2019 revises and replaces earlier editions (ISO 3901:2001 and the original ISO 3901:1986). It is referenced alongside other media identifier standards such as ISO 15706 (ISAN — International Standard Audiovisual Number) and ISO 26324 (DOI — Digital Object Identifier) where mapping or coexistence of identifiers is required.

Keywords

ISRC, International Standard Recording Code, recording identifier, audio identification, music video identification, metadata, registration authority, ISO 3901.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 3901:2019 is the International Standard that defines the International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) used for uniquely identifying audio recordings and music video recordings.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the syntax, assignment rules and intended uses of the ISRC, and specifies what the ISRC is not intended for (for example numbering carriers or packages). It also clarifies interaction with other identifier systems such as ISAN and DOI.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Record labels and producers, rights organizations, digital music and video distributors, metadata providers, libraries and archives, and national ISRC agencies or registration authorities. These users apply ISRCs for cataloguing, rights management, reporting and distribution.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 3901:2019 is the current published edition (Edition 3, 2019). The earlier 2001 and 1986 editions have been withdrawn and were superseded by the 2019 edition; the ISO record indicates the 2019 edition was reviewed and confirmed in 2024.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of ISO's Information and documentation subject area (ICS 01.140.20) and is maintained in the context of other media identifier standards; it is updated via the ISRC registration/maintenance arrangements rather than by frequent normative amendments.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: ISRC, recording code, audio metadata, music video identifier, registration authority, ISO 3901.