The European Commission has opened a public consultation process on radio frequency identification devices (RFID), tracking devices which are being developed primarily in the private sector for uses such as tracking products from the supermarket shelves. However, RFIDs may also have eGovernment uses.

The Commission’s language on RFIDs has so far been favourable. Information society commissioner Viviane Reding, for example, was quoted is a Commission press release saying, "RFID tags are far cleverer than traditional bar codes. They are the precursors of a world in which billions of networked objects and sensors will report their location, identity, and history. These networks and devices will link everyday objects into an ‘internet of things’ that will greatly enhance economic prosperity and the quality of life."

However, Reding also highlighted privacy issues concerning the tags, noting, "We need to build a society-wide consensus on the future of RFID, and the need for credible safeguards. We must harness the technology and create the right opportunities for its use for the wider public good."

The Commission established an RFID inter-service group in 2005, to coordinate the gathering, analysis and internal dissemination of information concerning RFID technology. The Commission is calling for common standard for the technology to ensure RFID interoperability across borders.

The public debate on RFID launched by the Commission will work through a series of workshops to build consensus on key issues associated with the use of RFID. These workshops will address RFID applications, end-user issues, interoperability and standards, and frequency spectrum requirements. They will take place in Brussels between March and June 2006 and their conclusions will assist the European Commission in drafting a working document on RFID. This document will be published in September in an online consultation. Additional feedback obtained will then be analysed and integrated in a Commission Communication on RFID, to be adopted before the end of the year. This feedback could lead to amendments of the e-privacy-Directive which is up for review this year. The Communication will also address the need for other legislative measures for RFID, such as decisions on allocation of spectrum.

For more information, visit the Commission’s Towards an RFID policy for Europe website.