Jan Svoboda, UPM Raflatec

How do consumers benefit from RFID?
RFID offers consumers tangible and behind-the-scenes benefits – everything from convenience to security and safety. RFID improves the quality of service and the customer experience through significant improvements in product availability, visibility, capability, self-service, and education as well as improvements and streamlining of services such as check out, return, and service/maintenance. RFID technology enables security, e-pedigree, and authentication to be far more reliable and seamless. Right now, we are only looking at the tip of the iceberg of possibilities for RFID for consumers and enterprises.

In your view, what are the key actions that should be taken in order to increase consumer confidence?
Full disclosure and education need to be the major focus when dealing with applications of RFID involving consumers. The technology community is taking the responsibility to educate consumers and business communities and most importantly self-regulate, ensuring solutions comply with expectations. It is vital to reach out to legislators, educate consumers and demonstrate the ability and willingness of the RFID community to self-regulate. Legislation must focus on identifying and punishing illicit behaviour and not punishing this great technology.

UPM Raflatac designs and manufactures passive HF and UHF RFID tags and inlays. UPM Raflatac products are typically used in item-level applications in retail, apparel, the supply chain, logistics, pharmaceuticals, libraries, transportation, security, asset tracking, and authentication.

www.upmraflatec.com