ISO 11784 & 11785 are international standards that regulate the radio frequency identification (RFID) of animals, which is usually accomplished by implanting a microchip into just under the animal's skin.

RF identification of animals requires that the bits transmitted by a transponder are interpretable by a transceiver. Usually the bit stream contains data bits, defining the identification code and a number of bits to ensure correct reception of the data bits. ISO 11784 specifies the structure of the identification code. ISO 11785 specifies how a transponder is activated and how the stored information is transferred to a transceiver (the characteristics of the transmission protocols between transponder and transceiver)

These standards are updated and expanded in ISO 14223 which regulates "advanced" transponders for animals.

The technical concept of animal identification described is based on the principle of radio-frequency identification (RFID). ISO 11785 is applicable in connection with ISO 11784 which describes the structure and the information content of the codes stored in the transponder.