Coordination with ISO TC 20/SC 16 on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

September 2025

Noting the importance of information technology to the program of work in ISO/TC 20/SC 16 (Unmanned Aircraft Systems), the leadership teams of ISO/TC 20/SC 16 and ISO/IEC JTC 1 organized a joint workshop to learn about the respective work programs for each group. As a result of the workshop a new JTC 1 group was formed.

JTC 1 Advisory Group 19 (AG 19) on Coordination with ISO TC 20/SC 16 on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) as specified in JTC 1’s document N15649 (The report of the Joint Workshop).

AG 19 initially focuses on issues relating to areas like:

• ISO license and drone identity module for drones (e.g., whether it aligns with UAS usage models).

• Low Altitude Drone Area Network (LADAN)

• Terminology: Drone vs. UAS

• High-level coordination activity for managing collaboration between JTC 1 and TC 20/SC 16.

• Planning of future discussions on Cyber Security which identifies areas of need in UAS and engages experts from JTC 1/SC 27, Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection.

• Create missing liaison relationships (e.g., between TC 20/SC 16 and JTC 1/SC 41 Internet of things and digital twin)

Terms of Reference:

1. Execution of key outcomes from the Joint Workshop on information technology for UAS with the relevant JTC 1/SCs such as SC 6, SC 17, SC 27, SC 41 as specified in JTC 1 N15649,

2. Support future collaboration with ISO TC 20/SC 16 (new action items, future workshops, etc.)

Convenor: Haiying Lu (China)

Initial members include: Australia, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, UK, JTC 1 Chair, SC 6, SC 17, SC 27, SC 40 and SC 41

Membership is open to:

1. Individuals nominated by National Bodies (representing the interests of their NB);

2. Two representative per JTC 1/SC, JTC 1/WG, JTC 1/AG, relevant ISO and IEC Committees;

3. Members of ISO Central Secretariat and IEC Central Office

Key progress

Key progress #1

ISO/IEC 22460 series (ISO license and drone identity module for drone) being developed by JTC 1/SC 17 

  • A survey was issued to both SC 17 and TC 20/SC 16 members to gather further information 
  • Coordinate with TC 20/SC 16 to reconsider current scope or to explore new projects.
  • ISO 22460-2 Cards and security devices for personal identification — ISO UAS license and drone/UAS security module —Part 2: Drone/UAS security module– FDIS stage. 
  • ISO 22460-3 Cards and security devices for personal identification — ISO UAS license and drone/UAS security module — Part 3: Digital UAS/drone License.

The document of ISO/TC 20/SC 16 N 717 indicating that the results of the SC 16 ballot to have SC 17 proceed without SC 16 involvement, which was approved.

Key progress #2

Coordinate with TC 20/SC 16 and JTC 1/SC 6 to address the concerns on the ISO/IEC 4005 (Low altitude drone area network (LADAN)) being developed by JTC 1/SC 6.

  • 4005 adopted “UA” and removed “drone” from the document.
  • The title was replaced by UAAN (Unmanned Aircraft Area Network)
  • ISO 4005 series standards from JTC1/SC6 — Published.

Key progress #3

Circulate the UAS terminology standard ISO 21384-4 to all members in JTC 1.

Key progress #4

In the 4th AG19 meeting, the following potential areas of common interest were identified:

  • Standards for software development certification for UAS & UTM (SC7 and SC40)
  • Cybersecurity, security evaluation, privacy protection for UAS (SC27)
  • Trustworthiness (WG13)
  • UAS operation and smart city (WG11)
  • Artificial intelligence for UAS (SC42)
  • Cloud computing (SC38)
  • Edge computing (SC38 and SC41)
  • Digital twin (SC41)

At the November 2022 JTC 1 meeting, the terms of reference of AG 19 have been updated.

Terms of Reference

1. Identify new common interests of ISO/TC 20/SC 16 and JTC 1 for collaboration and coordination;

2. Review proposals for new projects, related to both UAS and IT, prior to ballot;

3. Make recommendations on how and where any projects should be organized to JTC 1.

Membership is open to:

1. Individuals nominated by National Bodies (representing the interests of their NB);

2. Two representatives per JTC 1/SC, JTC 1/WG, JTC 1/AG, relevant ISO and IEC Committees;

3. Representatives of ISO Central Secretariat and IEC Secretariat;

4. Representatives from ISO/TC 20/SC 16 (no limitation). Convenor: Haiying Lu (China)

Secretary: Xiang He (China)

Duration: Through the November 2023 JTC 1 Plenary

The TOR of AG 19 has been updated as follows during the JTC 1 November 2023 plenary meeting.

JTC 1 reconstitutes JTC 1 Advisory Group 19 (JTC 1/AG 19) on Coordination with ISO/TC 20/SC 16 on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) with the following Terms of Reference:

Terms of Reference

1. Identify and monitor new common interests of ISO/TC 20/SC 16 and JTC 1 for collaboration 

and coordination;

2. Review proposals for new projects, related to both UAS and IT, prior to ballot;

3. Make recommendations on how and where any projects should be organized to JTC 1;

4. Develop Guidelines for coordination on UAS standardization activities.

Membership is open to:

1. Individuals nominated by National Bodies (representing the interests of their NB);

2. Two representatives per JTC 1/SC, JTC 1/WG, JTC 1/AG, relevant ISO and IEC Committees;

3. Representatives of ISO Central Secretariat and IEC Secretariat;

4. Representatives from ISO/TC 20/SC 16 (no limitation).

Convenor: Haiying Lu (China)

Secretary: Xiang He (China)

Duration: Through the November 2024 JTC 1 Plenary.

TOR of AG19 since 2024.11

Terms of Reference:

  1. Identify and monitor new common interests of ISO/TC 20/SC 16 and JTC 1 for collaboration and coordination;
  1. Review proposals for new projects related to both UAS and IT prior to ballot;
  2. Make recommendations on how and where any projects related to both UAS and IT should be organized to JTC 1.
  1. Develop Guidelines for Coordination on UAS Standardization Activities

Convenor: Haiying Lu (China)

Secretary: Xiang He (China)

Membership is open to:

  1. Individuals nominated by National Bodies (representing the interests of their NB);
  2. Representatives of JTC 1/SCs, JTC 1/WGs, JTC 1/AGs, relevant ISO and IEC Committees including ISO/TC 20/SC 16;
  1. Members of ISO Central Secretariat and IEC Secretariat.