General recommendations

• Support basic standards like frequency allocations, air interface protocols and tag data specifications

On the one hand there is the field of frequencies and air interface protocols. Only if frequency bands and air interface protocols are harmonised, a complementing development of standards is possible. Harmonised regulations for Europe will also strengthen the position of technology providers, who do not want to waste effort, time and money to develop different types of hardware, which is adapted to several local regulations. In this way globally harmonised standards and frequency regulations can help to reduce costs.

Detailed recommendations regarding frequencies and air interface protocols are given in the corresponding subchapters.

On the other hand there is the field of tag data. This concerns specially identifiers and codes. The compatibility between different identifier and codes from different Issuing agencies has to be ensured like it is implemented in the ISO Standard 15434 which describes the interoperability between different numbering systems e.g. from the GS1. Standards which are describing the interoperability between different numbering systems are listed in the database.

Detailed recommendations regarding tag data are given in the corresponding subchapters.

• Create fewer but more broadly accepted standards

Further on, it would be important to create fewer but broader accepted standards. This would provide more possibilities for technology providers as well as for users of a product. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of well-established standards. Many standards are in place, but there is a weak agreement on which ones shall stay. This problem exists particularly with respect to data and network standards.

• Review the initiation process of new standardisation work items

To minimise the number of standards it is recommended to review the process to initiate new standardisation work items. Each standardisation organisation has a prescribed process, which must be followed to start a new standardisation work item. The criteria, which must be met by new standardisation proposals, should be more restrictive. Only really new standardisation proposals should be accepted. It must be avoided that standards are used as marketing instruments.

• Make it easier to understand and work with standards

Another important step would be to make it easier to understand and work with standards. The European Commission should support activities to communicate the relevant standards to the stakeholders of the RFID business. CE RFID will publish information on standards on the project website.

• Avoid national and regional standards

From an industry prospective European and national RFID Standards are not necessary. National standards can cause market barriers. The aim should be to develop international and widespread RFID standards with a broad acceptance, like the ISO standard 18000-6c and EPCglobal Class1 Gen2. Internationally accepted standards would increase the international interoperability. Standards without IPR and license cost, as well as an easy access to the standard will support the development of the market.

The possibility has to be checked to convert existing national standards into international standards. This helps to reduce development times and to reduce standardisation costs. This job could be done by a special board.