Guidelines on EPC for Consumer Products
Introduction
Electronic Product Code™ (EPC) is an emerging system that uses Radio
Frequency Identification (RFID) for the automatic identification of
consumer products. RFID is now being used in everything from automobiles
to security pass cards, and it serves a variety of purposes. One of its
widespread uses is in devices such as EZ Pass in the US and Liber-T in
France that speed the passage of autos through highway toll booths.
Benefits
EPC has the potential to be used on many everyday consumer products as
they move through the supply chain - from factories through distribution
centres and into retail stores. As EPC evolves, it promises to offer
significant benefits to consumers and companies. The improved
information in the supply chain will help speed products to the shelf
and insure they are available when consumers want and in the quantities
they need. Removal of expired products will be easier, and prompt
removal of any recalled product will be facilitated. In addition,
checkout times for customers could be significantly shortened.
Privacy
To allow EPC to realise its potential for consumers, retailers and
suppliers, it is important to address privacy concerns prompted by the
current state of the technology while establishing principles for
dealing with its evolution and implementation. Accordingly, the sponsors
of EPC have adopted the following Guidelines for use by all companies
engaged in the large-scale deployment of EPC. These Guidelines are
intended to complement compliance with the substantive and comprehensive
body of national and international legislation and regulation that deals
with consumer protection, consumer privacy and related issues. They are
based, and will continue to be based, on industry responsibility,
providing accurate information to consumers and ensuring consumer
choice.
Evolution
As new developments in EPC and its deployment occur, these Guidelines
will evolve while continuing to represent the fundamental commitments of
industry to consumers. It is hoped that further developments, including
advances in technology, new applications and enhanced post-purchase
benefits, will provide even more choices to both consumers and companies
on the use of EPC tags. The sponsors of EPCglobal support continuing
their focused efforts in these development areas to assure responsible
and effective development of both the EPC technology and these
Guidelines.
Administration
These Guidelines will be administered by EPCglobal Inc.™, a joint
venture between GS1 (formerly EAN International) and GS1 US™ (formerly
the Uniform Code Council, Inc.®). GS1 also sets and maintains
standards for the product code now used on consumer products. EPCglobal
also will be responsible for updating these Guidelines. For EPC to gain
broad acceptance, consumers must have confidence in its value, benefits
and the integrity of its use. EPC participants are committed to gaining
and retaining this public confidence. EPCglobal will monitor the proper
use of these Guidelines and be responsible for updating them.
Because EPC is an emerging technology in an early development stage,
usage Guidelines supplementing or modifying those below will evolve as
applications are developed and implemented. For example, if developments
in the technology or its use provide consumers added flexibility in
controlling EPC tags or record personal consumer information beyond that
provided by conventional bar code technology, changes to notices
required to consumers or to the Guidelines themselves may be
appropriate.
EPCglobal Guidelines on EPC for Consumer Products
The purpose of these Guidelines is to provide a responsible basis for
the use of Electronic Product Code™ (EPC) technology for consumer items.
Under the auspices of EPCglobal Inc, these Guidelines have been followed
since January 1, 2005 and will continue to evolve as advances in EPC and
its applications are made and consumer research is conducted. As EPC
evolves, so too will new issues. EPC participants are committed to
addressing these issues and engaging in a dialogue about them with
interested parties.
1. Consumer Notice
Consumers will be given clear notice of the presence of EPC on products
or their packaging and will be informed of the use of EPC technology.
This notice will be given through the use of an EPC logo or identifier
on the products or packaging.
2. Consumer Choice
Consumers will be informed of the choices that are available to discard
or remove or in the future disable EPC tags from the products they
acquire. It is anticipated that for most products, the EPC tags would be
part of disposable packaging or would be otherwise discardable.
EPCglobal, among other supporters of the technology, is committed to
finding additional efficient, cost effective and reliable alternatives
to further enable customer choice.
3. Consumer Education
Consumers will have the opportunity easily to obtain accurate
information about EPC and its applications, as well as information about
advances in the technology. Companies using EPC tags at the consumer
level will cooperate in appropriate ways to familiarise consumers with
the EPC logo and to help consumers understand the technology and its
benefits. EPCglobal would also act as a forum for both companies and
consumers to learn of and address any uses of EPC technology in a manner
inconsistent with these Guidelines.
4. Record Use, Retention and Security
The Electronic Product Code does not contain, collect or store any
personally identifiable information. As with conventional barcode
technology, data which is associated with EPC will be collected, used,
maintained, stored and protected by the EPCglobal member companies in
compliance with applicable laws. Companies will publish, in compliance
with all applicable laws, information on their policies regarding the
retention, use and protection of any personally identifiable information
associated with EPC use.
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