Shopping Made Smarter For You

What The EPC Symbol Means To You

When you see the EPC symbol on a product or at a store, it means that the retailer is using Electronic Product Code technology to help make sure they provide you with the products you want, when you want them and with more choices and better service.

But more than that, the EPC symbol means that the retailer has agreed to adhere to guidelines relating to consumer privacy. These guidelines provide that consumers should be given:

• Notice when EPC technology is in use
• Choice over using or disposing of the EPC tag after purchase
• Education about EPC technology and its uses

Smarter Shopping.  Smarter Shoppers

The guidelines were developed by EPCglobal, a neutral, not-for-profit organization and its members.  EPCglobal was formed by the organizations originally entrusted to develop the bar code and help put it into service.  EPCglobal is now responsible for doing the same thing for EPC. As part of that responsibility, the EPCglobal Guidelines on EPC for Consumer Products were developed after extensive participation in open forums, testifying before legislative committees and governmental associations, and reaching out to influential consumer groups and other interested associations such as the National Consumers League and the Center for Democracy and Technology. 

And EPCglobal continues to work with these organizations and others to make sure the Guidelines on EPC for Consumer Products continue to serve the interests of consumers like you in providing the information you need to be smart, informed shoppers.