General Standards

March 18, 2011 Version 1.1

Version 1.1

3/18/2011

Animal Disease Traceability
Animal Disease Traceability Page 1

General Standards Version 1.1 3/18/2011

Animal Disease Traceability

General Standards

CONTENTS

PREFACE ................................................................................................................................................................2

SECTION A: DATA STANDARDS ..............................................................................................................................3

OFFICIAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS - ANIMALS ...................................................................................................................3

Individual Animal Numbers...................................................................................................................................3

Animal Group Identification Numbers ..................................................................................................................5

LOCATION NUMBERING SYSTEMS ......................................................................................................................................6

TRIBAL AND STATE CODES................................................................................................................................................8

SECTION B: OFFICIAL ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION METHODS AND DEVICES ............................................................ 10

OFFICIAL EARTAGS .......................................................................................................................................................10

Distribution of Official Identification Devices .....................................................................................................10
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Preface

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing to establish 

traceability regulations for livestock moving interstate. The purpose of the regulations is to 

improve the ability of APHIS to trace livestock when disease is found.

The proposed rule, “Traceability for Livestock Moving Interstate,” references this Animal 

Disease Traceability General Standards document. This general standards document provides 

details on numbering systems and official identification devices that would be authorized under 

the proposed rule. Additional information, including listing of official identification devices, is 

provided at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/traceability/.
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Section A: Data Standards

Official Identification Numbers - Animals

Official identification numbering systems are fundamental to animal disease programs. Numbers 

for both individual animals and groups of animals are defined to support methods of official 

identification for the various species and for meeting production management practices. Official 

animal identification devices, such as eartags, will have an official identification number 

imprinted on them. Group/lot numbers are associated to the animals through records maintained 

by individuals responsible for the group throughout the production chain.

Official identification numbers are nationally unique numbers permanently associated with 

individual animals or groups of animals. Official identification numbers are associated with 

individual animals or groups of animals through official identification devices or methods. 

Official identification numbers adhere to one of the following numbering systems: 

National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES)

Animal identification number (AIN)

Location-based number system 

Flock-based number system 

Any other numbering system approved by the Administrator for the official 

identification of animals.

Individual Animal Numbers

Official animal numbering systems provide a way to uniquely identify individual animals. 

Official identification for certain species is based on identification devices (e.g., official eartags) 

that have an official animal number imprinted on them. Official identification devices that adhere 

to these numbering standards are listed in Section B of this report. The following table specifies 

the format for each official numbering system used for individual animals.
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Table 1. Individual Animal Identification Numbers

Data Element Length Format Example Comments

National Uniform 

Eartagging System 

(NUES) 

9 or 8 Alphanumeric 23 ELV 4574

PA ELV 4574

23 DX 1234

PA DX 1234

[2] 23

PA

Default is State or Tribe numeric 

code. State postal abbreviation is 

optional.

[3] or 

[2]

ELV

AB

See official tag specification in 

Section C, Table 5 for details on 

the use of the letters in these

positions.

[4] 4574 4 digits in a chronological 

numerical sequence.

Animal ID number 

(AIN)

15 Numeric 840003456789012

[3] 840 The first 3 digits are the country 

code (840 = USA).

See footnote below regarding 

USA and manufacturer codes.

[12] 003456789012 The last 12 digits are the animal 

number.

Start number > 3,000,000,000.

Flock-based 

number with a 

herd 

management 

number

15 

Max.

Alphanumeric MN0456 4275

[9] 

Max.

MN0456 See flock standard below.

[6] 

Max.

4275 Unique herd management 

number.

Location-based 

number with a 

herd 

management 

number

14 

Max.

Alphanumeric IA123456 123456 

[8] 

Max.

IA123456 See LID and PIN standard 

below.

[6] 

Max.

123456 Unique herd management 

number.

AINs with the alpha characters USA or the numeric code assigned to the manufacturer’s ISO 11784/85-compliant 

identification device by the International Committee on Animal Recording may be used as alternatives to the 840 

prefix until 1 year after the effective date of the final rule, APHIS Docket-2009-0091, “Traceability of Livestock 

Moving Interstate.” 

AINs beginning with the 840 prefix are recognized for use only on animals born in the United States. 
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Animal Group Identification Numbers

Group/Lot Identification Numbers (GINs)

The use of GINs provides a way to uniquely identify a unit of animals of the same species that is 

managed as one group throughout the preharvest production chain. The GIN consists of the 

following:

One of the location identifiers (premises identification number (PIN) or location 

identification number (LID)) defined in the following pages

A six-digit representation of the date on which the group or lot of animals was 

assembled (MM/DD/YY)

Two additional digits, ranging from 01 to 99, for the numbering of different groups or 

lots of animals assembled on the same premises on the same day. When more than 

one group of animals is assembled, the groups would be designated consecutively as 

01, 02, 03, etc. 

Flock Identification Numbers 

The National Scrapie Eradication Program furnishes eartags to sheep and goat producers. The 

numbering system for these tags combines a nationally unique flock identification number (FIN) 

with the producer’s unique livestock production numbering system. This flock-based numbering 

system represents an animal group that is associated with one or more locations. The system 

serves the sheep and goat industries well in their disease control and eradication efforts. 

A State or Federal animal health authority assigns the FIN to a group of animals managed as a 

unit on one or more premises under the same ownership. 

The following table specifies the official group/lot animal identification numbers. 
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Table 2. Animal Group Identification Numbers

Data Element Length Format Example Comments

Group/Lot ID 

Number (GIN) 

- Using a PIN 

15 Alphanumeric 004T56711221105

[7] 004T567 The first 7 characters are the 

PIN.

[6] 112211 The next 6 characters are the 

date the lot was established: 

MMDDYY.

[2] 05 The last 2 characters are the 

number (count 01-99) of the 

group assembled at a premises 

on the same day. (01 is the 

default when one group is 

assembled.)

Group/Lot ID 

Number (GIN) 1 

- Using a LID

14 or 

16

Alphanumeric WA123411221105

MN12347811221105

[6] or 

[8]

WA1234

MN123478

The first 6 or 8 characters are 

the location ID number.

[6] 112211 The next 6 characters are the 

date the lot was established: 

MMDDYY.

[2] 05 The last 2 characters are the 

number (count 01-99) of the 

group assembled at a 

premises on the same day. 

(01 is the default when one 

group is assembled.)

Flock 

Identification 

Number (FIN)

9 

Max

Alphanumeric

[2] PA State postal abbreviation 

required as the first two 

characters.

Max 

of [7]

723456A FINs exclude the letters I, O, 

or Q from the characters 

following the State 

abbreviation.

1 LIDs may also use the 7-character format. The check digit must be used as prescribed for PINs.

Location Numbering Systems

States and Tribes may elect to use location identifiers to support their animal disease traceability 

plan. Two processes, explained below, support the administration of location identifiers that 

adhere to the standards defined in Table 3. PINs are available through the PIN allocator, a 

software application tool that APHIS provides to States and Tribes electing to use it. States may 

also use their own process for administering unique State-issued location identifiers. To avoid 

confusion in presenting these options in this document, State-issued location identifiers are 

referred to as LIDs, and the numbers States and Tribes obtain through the allocator are referred 
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to as PINs (or standardized PINs). States and Tribes may choose to use other terms in their 

materials. 

States and Tribes are not required to provide PINs or LIDs for the administration of their 

traceability plans. However, if they choose to use location identifiers to administer their 

traceability activities, following the standards below will ensure that their information systems

are compatible with other traceability and animal health databases.

Location Identification Numbers 

LIDs are administered through a State’s or Tribe’s internal system. The LID consists of six or 

eight alphanumeric characters. Seven alphanumeric characters may be used only when the last 

character is a check digit based on ISO 7064:1983. Using the State postal abbreviation as the 

first two characters ensures LIDs are nationally unique. 

Premises Identification Numbers

States and Tribes may elect to use the PIN in their traceability system. The standardized PIN, 

obtained through the APHIS PIN allocator, consists of seven alphanumeric characters. The last 

character is a check digit based on ISO 7064:1983. States may use the State’s postal abbreviation 

as the first two of the seven characters (for example, OH341T4) unless the State is using a 7-

character LID. Tribes may also have codes reserved for use with PINs they administer. The 

codes for Tribes will be assigned upon request. States and Tribes obtaining PINs from the PIN 

allocator may use either the Standardized Premises Identification System or a Compliant

Premises Identification System. The standardized and compliant systems are defined in the 

Animal Disease Traceability IT technical document.

The LID and PIN data standards are defined in the following table.

Table 3. Location Identifiers

Data Element Length Format Example Comments

LID16 Alphanumeric MN4321 First 2 characters are the State 

postal abbreviation. 

8 Alphanumeric CA654321 First 2 characters are the State 

postal abbreviation.

PIN 7 Alphanumeric A123R69 Last character is a check digit.2

1 States and Tribes may issue LIDs in the 7-character format only when the ISO 7064:1983 check digit is used as 

the last character.

2 The check digit calculation algorithm is based on ISO 7064:1983, “Data Processing – Check Character 

Systems.” (See Animal Disease Traceability Technical Standards document.)

Note: To avoid confusion with the numbers 0 and 1, the LID and PIN will not contain the letters O or I except 

when the letters are contained in the State or Tribal code
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Tribal and State Codes

State and Tribal codes used with NUES tags and location identifiers are listed below. Additional 

codes for Tribes will be established upon request to APHIS.

Table 4: State, Tribe, and Territory Codes

Sort by Name Sort by Numeric Code

Alabama AL 64 Maine ME 11

Alaska AK 96 New Hampshire NH 12

American Samoa AS 99 Vermont VT 13

Arizona AZ 86 Massachusetts MA 14

Arkansas AR 71 Rhode Island RI 15

California CA 93 Connecticut CT 16

Colorado CO 84 New York NY 21

Commonwealth of the N. 

Marianas MP 98 New Jersey NJ 22

Connecticut CT 16 Pennsylvania PA 23

Delaware DE 50 Ohio OH 31

Florida FL 58 Indiana IN 32

Georgia GA 57 Illinois IL 33

Guam GU 97 Michigan MI 34

Hawaii HI 95 Wisconsin WI 35

Idaho ID 82 Minnesota MN 41

Illinois IL 33 Iowa IA 42

Indiana IN 32 Missouri MO 43

Iowa IA 42 North Dakota ND 45

Kansas KS 48 South Dakota SD 46

Kentucky KY 61 Nebraska NE 47

Louisiana LA 72 Kansas KS 48

Maine ME 11 Delaware DE 50

Maryland MD 51 Maryland MD 51

Massachusetts MA 14 Virginia VA 52

Michigan MI 34 West Virginia WV 54

Minnesota MN 41 North Carolina NC 55

Mississippi MS 65 South Carolina SC 56

Missouri MO 43 Georgia GA 57

Montana MT 81 Florida FL 58

Navajo Nation NN 77 Virgin Islands (U.S.) VI 59

Nebraska NE 47 Kentucky KY 61

Nevada NV 88 Tennessee TN 63

New Hampshire NH 12 Alabama AL 64
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Sort by Name Sort by Numeric Code

New Jersey NJ 22 Mississippi MS 65

New Mexico NM 85 Arkansas AR 71

New York NY 21 Louisiana LA 72

North Carolina NC 55 Oklahoma OK 73

North Dakota ND 45 Texas TX 74

Ohio OH 31 Navajo Nation NN 77

Oklahoma OK 73 Montana MT 81

Oregon OR 92 Idaho ID 82

Pennsylvania PA 23 Wyoming WY 83

Puerto Rico PR 94 Colorado CO 84

Rhode Island RI 15 New Mexico NM 85

South Carolina SC 56 Arizona AZ 86

South Dakota SD 46 Utah UT 87

Tennessee TN 63 Nevada NV 88

Texas TX 74 Washington WA 91

Utah UT 87 Oregon OR 92

Vermont VT 13 California CA 93

Virgin Islands (U.S.) VI 59 Puerto Rico PR 94

Virginia VA 52 Hawaii HI 95

Washington WA 91 Alaska AK 96

West Virginia WV 54 Guam GU 97

Wisconsin WI 35 Commonwealth of the 

N. Marianas MP 98

Wyoming WY 83 American Samoa AS 99
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Section B: Official Animal Identification

Methods and Devices 

Official identification methods and devices officially identify an animal or group of animals by 

applying an official identification number to an animal or associating an official identification 

number with an animal or group of animals. Tables 1 and 2 in Section A of this report list official 

animal numbering systems for livestock. 

Official identification options are listed in the proposed traceability rule by species. 

Official Eartags

Official eartags, approved for certain species, are tags approved by APHIS that provide official 

identification numbers for individual animals. A summary of the identification devices is 

provided below, and a listing of official eartags for general use in the animal disease traceability 

program is provided in the Official Eartag Identification document at 

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/traceability/materials.shtml.

The primary criteria for official eartags include the following: 

Imprinted with an official animal identification number (see Table 1)

U.S. shield 

Tamper evident, high retention

Other characteristics defined through tag specification (defined on tag approval 

applications)

Distribution of Official Identification Devices

Proper administration of official identification devices is critical to support animal disease 

traceability. APHIS provides certain official identification devices to producers to apply to their 

animals. Distribution records of these devices are to be administered as explained below. 

National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES)

NUES tags have historically been used by animal health officials in animal disease programs. 

The animal disease traceability framework allows producers to use NUES tags, commonly 

referred to as “brite” tags, when authorized by the State or Tribal animal health official. The

following provides a basic overview of the key points regarding the distribution of NUES tags to 

producers:

State, Tribal, and Territory animal health officials and accredited veterinarians1 may 

provide NUES identification eartags to producers who wish to use them for official 

identification and other purposes without administering the eartags through a specific 

 

1

Producers may be able to obtain NUES eartags directly from State or Tribal animal health officials depending on 

the policies established at the State or Tribal level. 
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disease program. This does not apply to eartags that are specific to a disease program, 

such as brucellosis calfhood vaccination eartags. This enables producers to use the 

eartags as a tool to qualify their animals for interstate movement. In such cases, the State, 

Tribe, or Territory animal health officials will maintain complete oversight for the 

integrity of the information.

One of the duties of State, Tribal, and Territorial animal health officials providing NUES 

tags is ensuring sufficient contact information is collected about where NUES eartags are 

distributed to meet the traceability needs of the State, Tribe, or Territory. At a minimum, 

the record must include:

The name of the person the tags are issued to.

The street address, city, State, and ZIP code where the tags are distributed.

The identification numbers issued.

The date the tags were issued.

The name and contact information of the person issuing the tags.

The Animal Identification Management System (AIMS) will be available to States and Tribes for 

maintaining tag distribution records if they wish to use it.

The use of the AIMS requires the use of either a LID or PIN for each distribution record entered 

into AIMS. APHIS will, upon request, provide an alternative database that would support the 

recording of distribution records with the above information only. 

Producers considering the use of and availability of NUES tags should contact their State or 

Tribal animal health official.

Animal Identification Number Devices 

AIN devices with the 840 prefix are distributed to producers by AIN device managers and 

resellers. State and Federal animal health officials may also use AIN devices when they 

administer animal disease programs. APHIS, through an application and approval process, 

approves AIN devices that meet established standards. Approved AIN manufacturers are 

allocated the 840 numbers and are authorized to imprint or encode the AIN only on their 

approved devices. 

AIN device manufacturers distribute AIN devices through AIN device managers, or may act as 

an AIN manager themselves. All distribution records of 840 AIN tags are reported to the AIMS 

by the person who has possession of the device when distributing the device to the next 

individual, whether it is a producer or another reseller. All recipients of AIN devices must first 

have a LID or PIN as defined in Section A and provide that number to the person that they are 

obtaining the devices from. The person responsible for the distribution of the AIN devices is 

responsible for the entry of the distribution record into AIMS. The record includes the AINs, 

date of distribution, and LID or PIN where the devices were distributed. Details of the processes 

available for completing these distribution records are provided in the AIMS user manual.
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Producers electing to use AIN devices may contact the supplier of the tags in their area. The 

complete listing of AIN devices and the AIN tag manufacturer’s information is at 

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/traceability/downloads/AIN_device_list.pdf.

Scrapie Program Tags

Administration of official identification requirements for scrapie program tags is explained in the 

Scrapie Eradication Uniform Methods document at 

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_diseases/scrapie/downloads/umr_scrapie.pdf.

Premises Identification Number (PIN) Tags for Slaughter Swine

PIN tags for slaughter swine provide an option to officially identify sows and boars to the 

premises where they were kept immediately before entering harvest channels. PIN tags for 

slaughter swine may be obtained from authorized manufacturers. As with the USDA backtag 

applied at markets, the PIN tag will be collected as an official form of identification to be 

associated with any blood or tissue samples collected for disease surveillance. If a PIN tag 

includes a manufacturer printed number that is unique within a herd, the tag would also qualify 

as an official eartag for interstate movement of individual animals.