EC Opens Public Consultation on RFID

July 7, 2006

An online public consultation on how the European Commission (EC) can help ensure that the growing use of radio frequency identification devices (RFID) boosts the competitiveness of Europe's economy was launched on the European Union (EU) web site "Your Voice in Europe." This consultation also seeks to ensure RFID use will improve the quality of life for EU citizens while safeguarding their basic rights - and in particular their privacy.

"We need to build a society-wide consensus on the future of RFID. We need to ensure that RFID technology delivers on its economic potential and to create the right opportunities for its use for the wider public good, while ensuring that citizens remain in control of their data. In a communication planned for December 2006, the European Commission intends to assume these twin responsibilities. I invite all stakeholders to contribute to this debate," said EC Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding.

To prevent the possibility of a fragmented approach to RFID in Europe, the EC has set out an ambitious timeline for the adoption of a policy environment that stimulates the use of RFID technology while providing safeguards for personal data.

In a first phase from March to June 2006, the EC held five workshops to assess the potential of RFID for business and society as well as concerns about personal privacy and security (see IP/06/289). These workshops also looked at standards and interoperability, international compatibility, radio spectrum allocation and the future of RFID technology. They attracted wide interest from all stakeholders, including citizens, trade associations and business representatives. They also gained recognition around the world as several high-level experts and decision makers from non-European third countries participated in the various panels.

The launch of the public consultation marks the start of the second phase of the open and interactive debate. Industry stakeholders and the general public are invited to respond to questions on the "Your voice in Europe" web site. From this consultation, the EC expects to produce a wide consensus as to whether - and, if so, to what extent - Europe needs a conducive and stable policy environment encouraging all types of companies to invest in RFID technology and harmonising technology standards as well as radio frequency allocation, while at the same time safeguarding individual privacy and security.

A final conference, scheduled for October 2006, will present highlights from the workshops and the online consultation to an audience of experts and decision makers. This event will enable the EC to report on its assessment and to collect the final views of the stakeholders before preparing the communication to European Parliament and Council of Ministers.

For more information and access to the online public consultation, see:
- EU's web site on Your Voice in Europe
- EU's web site on RFID Consultation
- EU's web page showing the Roadmap Towards an RFID Policy for Europe
- EU's FAQ on RFID

Source: European Commission.