European EPC Guidelines  

The adoption of EPC and RFID technology is expanding rapidly in different regions of the world, including in Europe. Since the technology is based on its potential to improve business processes across the global value chain, it has been championed by more and more industries. In order to use EPC and RFID efficiently, all companies involved need to agree initially on basic specifications and standards about how to implement this technology. The European Guide supports companies to prepare their deployment and to protect their investment while increasing confidence to those who are new to the technology.

Taking into account that GS1 EPCglobal standards are in place now, there is still the need for guidelines and references of good practices to facilitate any future EPC implementations in Europe. Hence, the initiative of different European retailers and consumer goods manufacturers to come together and develop the EuropeanGuide. Major stakeholders in the retail environment like Carrefour, Henkel, Kraft International, Metro Group, Nestle, P&G, and Rewe Group  have all actively participated in this joint collaborative effort and agreed on the content of the European Guide. 

The first version of the European Guide is structured in a Q&A format giving answers to the major questions raised in the market place. The answers in the European Guide are focused at the business level so that management can be better informed on the key issues and also have access to relevant complementary information related to the deployment of EPC and RFID technology. Among many others, the following questions are addressed in the European Guide; what are the main benefits that companies are trying to achieve by using the technology, how can RFID help improve the consumer experience of products and stores, what are the radio frequency usage rules in Europe, what is EPCIS and how does it work, etc.

The European Guide is not a static document. Retailers and consumer goods manufacturers in Europe are invited to contribute actively to the European Guide in order to build on its foundations and improve its usefulness. The second version, which is under development, will include further answers on how to best implement the EPC and RFID technology in the retail environment as well as tools which allow the evaluation and measurement of adoption.

Please contact or send your comments and feedback directly to the GS1 in Europe coordinator Stephane Pique at stephane.pique@gs1eu.org.

You can download the Guide here!