What is the main responsibility of EPCglobal?

* Question

What is the main responsibility of EPCglobal?

* Answer

The main responsibility of EPCglobal is to develop and promote global standards for the Electronic Product Code (EPC) and related technologies used in radio frequency identification (RFID) systems and supply chain management.

What is EPCglobal?

EPCglobal is a subsidiary of GS1, the organization best known for the barcode system. EPCglobal’s mission is to enable accurate, real-time visibility of products and assets throughout global supply chains by standardizing:

Electronic Product Codes (EPCs)

RFID technology

Data-sharing infrastructure and protocols

Core Responsibilities of EPCglobal

1. Develop EPC Standards

Defines the structure of Electronic Product Codes (EPCs)—unique identifiers for items, cases, pallets, or returnable assets.

Ensures codes can be read and interpreted globally.

2. Promote RFID Adoption

Standardizes how RFID tags and readers communicate.

Supports industries in adopting UHF RFID and EPC Gen 2 protocols for real-world applications.

3. Support EPCIS (EPC Information Services)

EPCIS is a standard that allows companies to capture and share event data related to EPCs (e.g., when/where a product was packed, shipped, received).

Facilitates interoperability across companies and supply chain layers.

4. Ensure Data Integrity and Security

Defines protocols to ensure authenticity, privacy, and access control in RFID-based systems.

5. Enable Supply Chain Visibility

Helps businesses track and trace items in real time across multiple stakeholders.

Improves inventory accuracy, anti-counterfeiting, and operational efficiency.

Summary

EPCglobal’s work has become especially important in sectors such as retail, pharmaceuticals, logistics, and food safety, where traceability and transparency are essential.