ISO/IEC 15946-1:2016 describes the mathematical background and general techniques necessary for implementing the elliptic curve cryptography mechanisms defined in ISO/IEC 15946‑5, ISO/IEC 9796‑3, ISO/IEC 11770‑3, ISO/IEC 14888‑3, ISO/IEC 18033‑2 and other ISO/IEC standards.

ISO/IEC 15946-1:2016 does not specify the implementation of the techniques it defines. For example, it does not specify the basis representation to be used when the elliptic curve is defined over a finite field of characteristic two. Thus, interoperability of products complying with ISO/IEC 15946-1:2016 will not be guaranteed.