News

EPCglobal, a subsidiary of global standards organisation company GS1, is forming a packaging group to create standards for the use of RFID in the sector.

The not-for-profit organisation has recently completed the second phase of its transport and logistics services industry action group RFID pilot programme. The pilot, involving several different industries, provided testing and validation of the RFID standards.

David Lyon, EPCglobal business manager, told Packaging News: "We need as many companies and industries as possible to contribute, so we can then distil their requirements down the supply chain, and we can create a standard which will improve operations."

GS1 is looking at packaging sustainability, at the increased use of returnable packaging and how the tags are implanted in the trays.

"It's early days for RFID in packaging and customers are yet to see the true benefits. We are looking at everything, for example where to stick the RFID tag on a box, is it in a corner or on the top," Lyons said.

"There are so many things to consider, we need everyone to get together, so we can agree a global standard and ensure that companies aren't left with kit that doesn't work."

The EPCglobal RFID standards have been developed over the past four and a half years. They cover tags, readers and how the code and data contained on the tags is used.

EPCglobal acts as a facilitaor for its 2,000 corporate members.

Once agreed and tested the standards will become an ISO certification which companies can work towards achieving.