EPCglobal Tools & Resources
Useful Publications
- The EPCglobal Network - Overview of design, benefits and security (PDF File 1MB)
- Download a high resolution diagram of the EPCglobal network (PDF 1MB)
- Download a powerpoint show of the EPCglobal network (flow chart) (PPS 1 MB)
- Frequency Regulation Report
- EPCglobal performance Test Centre Acceditiation Programme Information Sheet
- EPCglobal Hardware Certification Programme Information Sheet
Useful Links
Useful Information
FREQUENCY REGULATIONS
This report provides an overview of the ultra high frequency (UHF) regulations worldwide. It is regularly updated. It includes a status indicator, the frequency band authorised in the country, the power level, the communication technique and the contact details for the national body responsible for regulations. Suggestions for amendments, updates or additions to this report are welcome and should be sent to henri.barthel@gs1.org at GS1 Global Office.
The EPCglobal Performance Test Centre Accreditation Programme
Developed by the EPCglobal community, this programme helps you access and evaluate the capabilities of testing facilities around the globe especially in regard to tagged unit performance testing in a variety of common supply chain environments.
The
EPCglobal Hardware Certification Programme
This standards-based compliance testing
programme, developed by the EPCglobal community, provides a neutral and
authoritative source for testing hardware products and providing information on
certified products and the vendors who manufacture them.
Read the information sheet
EPCglobal public policy
For EPC to provide full consumer, retailer
and supplier benefits, it is important to address privacy concerns that might
arise from the current state of the technology and to establish principles for
its evolution and implementation. The EPC sponsors recommend the following guidelines for use by all companies
engaged on large-scale deployment of EPC. Because this is emerging technology, the
guidelines will continue to evolve .
The guidelines are administered by
EPCglobal Inc which monitors their
proper use and updates them in
light of technology developments and new applications, and as enhanced benefits
become apparent. Choices for the use of EPC tags continue to expand for both
consumers and companies.
EPCglobal has a Board of Governors and a Public Policy Steering Committee which provide independent expert guidance on safeguards for the EPCglobal network , privacy and other issues. EPCglobal subscribers have opportunities to interact with both of these bodies.
Read more on www.epcglobalinc.org/public/
The industry's trusted partner for the EPCglobal Network
- NEW: Read the March 2008 issue of the EPCglobal Newsletter
- Read "Supply Chain Shake-up with EPC"
- The EPCglobal Network - Overview of Design, Benefits and Security (PDF File 1MB)
- Download a high resolution diagram of the EPCglobal Network (suitable for presentations and high resolution printing - pdf 1MB)
Contact Details
Gary Hartley, General Manager Sector Development
04-494-1063
Frequently Asked Questions
What
is EPCglobal and what is its relationship to the Auto-ID Center at M.I.T.?
EPCglobal is a venture of GS1 International. We are a not-for-profit organisation
entrusted by industry to establish and support the Electronic Product
Code (EPC) Network as the global standard for immediate, automatic, and
accurate identification of any item in the supply chain of any company,
in any industry, anywhere in the world. Our objective is to drive global
adoption of the EPCglobal Network.
The EPCglobal Network was developed by the Auto-ID Center, an academic
research project headquartered at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(M.I.T.) with labs at five leading research universities around the globe.
EPCglobal Inc is run by the EPCglobal Board of Governors who are end-users
selected not only for their organizational affiliations, but also for
individual expertise, their personal commitment and their leadership in
global commerce. Board of Governors members (other than the President)
are subscribers of EPCglobal in good standing, and represent multiple
industry sectors. The Board of Governors will have between 15 and 21 members
with an emphasis on end-users of the technology who are early adopters.
The composition of the Board will reflect the diversity of industries
and geographies that EPC technology will span in the coming decades.
What happens to the Auto-ID
Center after October 31, 2003?
The administrative functions of the Auto-ID Centre officially ended October
31, 2003 and the research functions of the Centre evolved into Auto-ID
Labs. EPCglobal will continue to work with Auto-ID Labs through its own
technical committees and action groups (groups focused on a specific topic
of study such as hardware and software development and business requirements)
to maintain a dialogue between researchers and end users. EPCglobal has
also committed to provide funding for the Auto-ID Labs for the next several
years to help guide continued basic research aimed at advancing the state-of-the-art
in RFID technologies.
As part of the Auto-ID Center transition to the EPCglobal organization,
pertinent content and archived background information from the Auto-ID
Center's website was relocated to a new site at www.EPCglobalinc.org on
Nov. 1, 2003.
The transfer enabled EPCglobal to retain all relevant content on the new
site and to maintain the current momentum that has built across the Auto-ID
Center community by facilitating access to information and connections
among user, software and hardware action group members. The new site includes
similar navigation to enable ease of use by visitors.
On the Website, why can
I access the User Action Group (UAG), but not the Hardware Action Group
(HAG) or Software Action Group (SAG)?
Companies with a desire to participate in any Action Group or Working
Groups are required to sign the appropriate EPCglobal Intellectual Property
(IP) Policy and forward it to your GS1 New Zealand.
For more information on how to participate in an Action or Working Group,
contact gary.hartley@gs1nz.org
Why form a new organisation to
oversee implementation of the EPCglobal network?
Once EPC technology was developed in an academic setting, it was always
the intention to commercialise it through an experienced standards-making
body. GS1 was chosen as the implementation partner because of our many
years of experience in administering global standards.
Why use the name EPCglobal
?
We have called our joint venture operation EPCglobal to better reflect
our core mission as an organisation: driving global adoption and effective
implementation of the EPCglobal Network. EPCglobal is supported by regional
EPCglobal Member Organizations such as EPCglobal New Zealand, which provides
local implementation and support services to New Zealand based subscribers
of EPCglobal. Working in conjunction with EPCglobal to facilitate widespread
adoption of the EPCglobal Network, EPCglobal New Zealand:
Supports New Zealand companies to implement the EPC network.
Issues EPC manager numbers to companies with Head Offices or Corporate
Head Quarters located in New Zealand.
Offers training and educational programs to accelerate EPCglobal network
implementation.
Provides an accreditation and certification program to assist subscribers
in implementation decisions and in choosing suppliers and service providers.
What is the governance
structure of EPCglobal?
Early subscribers will have the opportunity to participate in the Implementation
Task Force (ITF), a group that will work together during the transition
of EPCglobal's work into the commercialization phase.
The ITF will focus on real-world business use cases and will take the
work of the Auto-ID Center's action groups currently in progress through
to conclusion as published standards and specifications. The ITF is structured
with the following groups:
Board of Directors, comprised of representatives of the GS1 and the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology
Operating Committee, which establishes the organisation's strategic direction
and priorities
User Action Group, which addresses user requirements, and suggest business
cases and changes to existing standards based on participants' needs
Technical Steering Committee, which works with the Auto-ID Center and
Technical Action Groups
Technical Action Groups, which focus on a specific topic of study such
as hardware and software development and business requirements
In addition, EPCglobal works closely with the International Public Policy
Advisory Council, which provides independent, expert guidance on many
issues including the development of technical safeguards around the EPCglobal
network and guiding principles around technology usage.
What is Radio Frequency Identification
(RFID)?
RFID stands for radio frequency identification. It is a technology that
has existed for decades. At a simple level, it is a technology that involves
tags that emit radio signals and devices called readers that pick up the
signal. RFID technology is a fundamental element of the EPCglobal network.
What is the Electronic Product
Code (EPC)?
The Electronic Product Codeª (EPC) is the next generation of product
identification. The EPC is a simple, compact license plate that uniquely
identifies objects (items, cases, pallets, locations, etc.) in the supply
chain. The EPC is built around a basic hierarchical idea that can be used
to express a wide variety of different, existing numbering systems, like
the GS1 System Keys, UID, VIN, and other numbering systems.
Like many current numbering schemes used in commerce, the EPC is divided
into numbers that identify the manufacturer and product type. But, the
EPC uses an extra set of digits, a serial number, to identify unique items.
The EPC is the key to the information about the product it identifies
that exists in the EPCglobal network. An EPC number contains:
Header, which identifies the length, type, structure, version and generation
of EPC
Manager Number, which identifies the company or company entity
Object Class, similar to a stock keeping unit or SKU
Serial Number, which is the specific instance of the Object Class being
tagged
Additional fields may also be used as part of the EPC in order to properly
encode and decode information from different numbering systems into their
native (human-readable) forms.
What is the EPCglobal
network and how does it function ?
The EPCglobal network is a set of technologies that enable immediate,
automatic identification and sharing of information on items in the supply
chain. In that way, the EPCglobal network will make organisations more
effective by enabling true visibility of information about items in the
supply chain.
The EPCglobal network uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology
to enable true visibility of information about items in the supply chain.
The network is comprised of five fundamental elements: the Electronic
Product Code (EPC), the ID System (EPC Tags and Readers), Object Name
Service (ONS), Physical Mark-up Language (PML), and Savant.
Essentially, the EPC is a number designed to uniquely identify a specific
item in the supply chain. The EPC number sits on a tag comprised of a
silicon chip and an antenna, which is attached to an item. Using radio
identification technology (RFID), a tag communicates its number to a reader.
The reader then passes the number to a computer or local application system,
known as the Object Name Service (ONS). ONS tells the computer systems
where to locate information on the network about the object carrying an
EPC, such as when the item was produced.
Physical Mark-up Language (PML) is used as a common language in the EPCglobal
network to define data on physical objects.
Savant is a software technology that acts as the central nervous system
of the EPCglobal network. Savant manages and moves information in a way
that does not overload existing corporate and public networks.
For a useful diagrammatic illustration of how the network operates, visit
the EPCglobal: http://archive.epcglobalinc.org/aboutthetech_idiotsguide.asp
To receive a free DVD (5 minutes) which gives an overview of the EPC/RFID
in action contact gary.hartley@gs1nz.org
What is Version 1.0 of the EPCglobal
Network?
Version 1.0 of the EPCglobal network offers a complete set of technical
specifications for every component in the EPCglobal network. Released
in September 2003, this version offers technical information on the number
system, tag, readers, and reference implementations on many software components.
For more comprehensive detail, visit EPCglobal at www.epcglobalinc.org
What
are the benefits of EPC technologies?
The EPCglobal network will make organisations more effective by enabling
true visibility of information about items in the supply chain. Having
more accurate, immediate information about the location of items, the
history of items, and the number of items in the supply chain will enable
organisations to be more responsive to customers and consumer needs through
more efficient, customer-driven operations.
Will EPC tags replace
bar codes?
No. Although bar codes have limitations (they require line-of-sight for
scanning, have limited encoding capacity, and cannot receive and store
information), they are currently used by more than 1 million firms in
more than 140 countries across more than 23 industries, and clearly remain
important to supply chain operations. We believe that bar codes and EPC's
will coexist for many years to come.
Is development and commercialisation
of the EPCglobal Network a global initiative?
Yes. The EPCglobal network has been a global initiative from its inception.
In developing the EPCglobal network, the Auto-ID Center, headquartered
at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has:
Conducted research on a global basis through five of the world's leading
research universities.
Received sponsorship support from over 100 of the world's leading companies,
representing a wide range of industries with differing needs and interests.
As the driver of adoption of the EPCglobal Network, EPCglobal continues
that tradition. EPCglobal is a venture by GS1. GS1 represents 100 member
organisations worldwide with more than one million members representing
108 countries.
My company is not
in the consumer products industry. Will the EPCglobal network offer solutions
to entities outside the retail space?
Yes, there are strong business cases for implementing the EPCglobal network
in the heart of the supply chain of most industries today.
For example, across all industry verticals, the EPCglobal network holds
the promise of lowering warehousing and distribution costs and expediting
deliveries by enabling faster and more accurate shipping and receiving
processes, and more efficient picking and packing operations. Another
example is in healthcare, where the EPCglobal Network can help eliminate
counterfeit drugs through more accurate tracking and tracing capabilities.
In the government sector, the EPCglobal Network would provide an asset
management platform for use by many different agencies.
There are many potential applications of the EPCglobal network. For these
reasons, EPCglobal is encouraging organisations to capitalise on the competitive
advantages to be secured when EPC technologies are implemented across
industry verticals.
What is being done about
certification and interoperability?
We are committed to providing comprehensive implementation support, including
certification and interoperability, for the EPCglobal network.
We will be developing and maintaining global technology and application
standards, education and training, and certification and compliance programmes,
all from a multi-industry, global perspective.
How does a company
get started in implementing the EPCglobal network ?
Now is the time to begin preparing for this technology. Fundamentally,
there are three steps to take:
Form an EPC team at a senior level.
Subscribe to EPCglobal and take advantage of the many valuable opportunities
the EPCglobal network provides for trading partners to collaborate in
new ways.
Begin sharing your implementation plans with trading partners so they
can plan and adapt accordingly.
Companies interested in a subscription to EPCglobal New Zealand should
contact: gary.hartley@gs1nz.org
Where can
I find Solution Partners?
This is another good reason to become involved today in the EPCglobal
effort. By becoming a subscriber to EPCglobal, companies will be able
to gain access to a network of Solution Partners, manufacturers, and consultants
trained on the specifics of the EPCglobal network.
Contact: gary.hartley@gs1nz.org for more information.
Will EPC support my
current Global Trade Identification (GTIN)?
Yes. Subscribers to EPCglobal will have the option to base their EPC Manager
number on their current GS1 company prefix.
How is an EPC
Manager Number different from a GS1 Company Prefix?
The Electronic Product Code (EPC) is the next generation of product identification.
Like the Global Trade Identification Number (GTIN), the EPC is divided
into numbers that identify the manufacturer, product, version, and serial
number. But, the EPC uses an extra set of digits, a serial number, to
identify unique items. The EPC is the only information stored on the EPC
tag. This keeps the cost of the tag down and provides flexibility, since
an infinite amount of dynamic data can be associated with the serial number
in the database.
Are there concerns over IP/Patents?
EPCglobal, as part of its due diligence process, has retained the services
of a premier patent law firm. To date, thousands of patents have been
examined and, though the investigation is still in progress, there is
no Intellectual Property owned by third parties that would block implementation
of the EPCglobal network. EPCglobal is committed to open use of this new
network and will adopt policies that encourage such use while protecting
network integrity.
What is the basis
for the EPCglobal Intellectual Property Policy?
EPCglobal is a global standards' organisation committed to increasing
supply chain effectiveness for the benefit of organisations and consumers
across all industry sectors. As a user-driven organisation, we will be
working with retailers, manufacturers, and hardware, software, and integration
solutions providers to create and share intellectual property that will
benefit the entire subscriber base.
Do I need to sign an IP Policy?
The EPCglobal Intellectual Property (IP) Policy ensures that all companies
subscribing to the organisation have open, neutral access to EPCglobal
networkª technology and standards. The agreements ensure that the
technology remains non-proprietary for the benefit of industry as a whole.
To ensure access to EPCglobal technical, action and working groups, companies
are encouraged to sign the new EPCglobal IP Policy that has been forwarded
to each member.
Where am I able to sign
up ?
The EPCglobal Intellectual Property Policy document is available from
GS1 New Zealand and may be returned to:
GS1 New Zealand
P.O. Box 11-110
Level 2
The Woolstore Design Centre
262 Thorndon Quay
Wellington
New Zealand
The IP Policy will need to be signed by a representative of your company
who is able to commit your businesses intellectual property.
What does a
subscription to EPCglobal include and what's the advantage of becoming
a subscriber?
A subscription to EPCglobal is the first step to gaining access to the
EPCglobal network. A subscription includes:
Assignment and maintenance of EPC Manager Numbers in the Object Naming
Service (ONS registry).
Training and education on implementing and using the EPC and the EPCglobal
Network.
Participation in the ongoing development of business-driven use cases
and standards for the EPCglobal network.
Access to EPCglobal Network components, software specifications, and the
published reference implementations of Savant and Physical Mark-up Language
(PML).
Continued influence (through EPCglobal Action Groups) on the future direction
of research by Auto-ID Labs.
Access to best practices regarding consumer privacy and public policy.
Access to certification and compliance testing.
Links with other subscribers to create pilots and test cases.
Why should my company
join now before the technology is fully commercialised?
Early adopters of this technology can gain significant advantages by joining
the effort now and contributing toward the standards-making process. Companies
that begin to prepare today will be best positioned to capture the value
of the EPCglobal network.
What is the cost
of becoming a subscriber?
There are two subscription types: End Users and Solution Partners. All
subscribers will pay an initial subscription fee and annual renewal fees.
At this time, initial subscription costs are based on the type of subscription
and a sliding scale according to overall sales volume. Annual renewal
fees are also based on these elements.
For further information regarding subscriber fees contact:
gary.hartley@gs1nz.org
I'm a member of the
Auto-ID Center. Do I need to re-apply?
Yes. Current Auto-ID Center members will realise certain benefits regardless
of their subscription status. These benefits include participation on
EPCglobal Action Groups and complimentary attendance at all research meetings.
However, EPC Manager numbers and other advantaged access benefits are
only provided to paid subscription holders and, therefore, current Auto-ID
Center members must subscribe through their national GS1 Member Organisation
to be eligible.
What is the Implementation
Task Force?
The Implementation Task Force is a user-based committee comprised of EPCglobal
subscribers charged with establishing the protocols for the standardization
process.
Essentially, the Implementation Task Force will act as a bridge, helping
move the EPCglobal Network technology from research into the commercialization
phase.
How
do I become involved in the Implementation Task Force?
Subscriber organisations may join the Implementation Task Force by contacting
GS1 New Zealand. Contact gary.hartley@gs1nz.org
What's
the difference in Subscriber benefits received by End Users vs. Solution
Partners?
Many of the benefits are the same for End Users and Solution Partner Subscribers.
As you might imagine, the benefits for End Users focus more on the assignment
of EPC Manager Numbers and the use of the EPCglobal Network. Benefits
for Solution Partners focus on certification and compliance, as well as
providing opportunities for Solution Partners to interact with the larger
EPCglobal End User community.
How does the Solution
Partner programme compare with the GS1 Solution Partner programme?
EPCglobal will build and leverage GS1's 30-year heritage of partnering
with industry. We envision shared responsibilities in promotion and marketing
for our partners as well as working to develop and maintaining lists of
certified vendors.
Is
the EPCglobal Network an industry standard, and when and how will it become
an industry standard?
It is our goal and mission to establish and support the EPCglobal network
as a new global standard for immediate, automatic identification of any
item in the supply chain of any company, in any industry, anywhere in
the world.
EPCglobal will lead a neutral, user-driven, consensus-based process where
every organisation has the opportunity to contribute.
How
will EPCglobal/EPCglobal Network standards coexist with ISO's existing
RFID standards?
As appropriate, we will submit standards on EPC technologies to International
Standards Organization (ISO) for their review and ratification. In turn,
ISO standards that meet specific requirements will be ratified and used
in our process. Because our subscribers drive our standards development
process, we will adopt standards that meet their specific needs and deliver
the full value of the EPCglobal network.
Is the
EPCglobal Network very susceptible to hacking and other security breaches?
What are you doing to ensure the integrity of the network?
Security is an important part of the EPCglobal network. The EPCglobal
network will use industry recognized best practices to protect its data.
In addition, the EPCglobal network functions like an extranet with a federated
data model. Data lives behind a subscriber company's firewall and is only
referenced by the event registry.
What about privacy
concerns?
EPCglobal is strongly committed to protecting personal privacy. This is
an issue we take very seriously and, under the Auto-ID Center's leadership,
have been proactively addressing since the earliest stages of the research
effort to develop the EPCglobal Network. This proactive effort has generated
technical and policy solutions, including a set of guiding principles
that we strongly support.
GS1 New Zealand is working with industry groups through the Standards
New Zealand process to develop a New Zealand Code of Practice for New
Zealand. The CoP
is available here.
Will you be offering any education or training programmes?
Yes. EPCglobal will provide comprehensive implementation support for the EPCglobal network through the national GS1 Member Organisations, including developing and maintaining global technology and application standards, education and training, and certification and compliance programs, all from a multi-industry, global perspective.
