Radio Frequency Identification or RFID is an advanced automatic identification technology using tags and readers to capture data about objects and is coming into increasing use as a significant alternative to bar codes. The range of usage of RFID technology is immense, and spans many different industries and uses. As the technology matures and applications proliferate, RFID has the potential to enable global commerce and spur innovation and competitiveness, and provide significant improvements in safety and security.

The Technology Administration chairs the Department of Commerce RFID working group consisting of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the International Trade Administration (ITA), the Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA) and the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO). Commerce has a leading role within the federal government to ensure that RFID is understood, that both industry and consumer concerns and views are heard and that accurate information about the features and abilities of RFID are disseminated.

RFID’s potential for enhancing commerce and government operations is based on its ability to track inventory in supply chains more efficiently, provide real time in transit visibility, and monitor resources and processes. RFID is often mentioned as one of a set of emerging and connective type of technologies that may have the potential to have an impact for business and daily life as profound as the rise of the Internet.

Current market estimates for RFID applications range from about $1 billion in 2004 to almost $5 billion by 2008, with about 30% of all capital goods carrying RFID tags by 2008.

Introduction of RFID technology into the marketplace and workplace requires an explanation of the benefits of the technology and discussions about actual and perceived challenges. In the case of RFID: technical standards, spectrum, international operability, implementation costs, data privacy and security considerations are part of the current discourse on RFID.

In addition, policy debates both in the U.S. and abroad indicate that much of the public concern over RFID is regarding the acceptable use of data, not the technology. If ignored, privacy concerns about the capabilities and use of RFID products could become a significant factor adversely affecting whether the technology becomes widely deployed and achieves its full potential.

The Technology Administration continues to serve as a focal point for an intelligent dialogue on the opportunities and challenges presented by this emerging and promising technology. We have learned through our interaction with industry, stakeholders and policymakers, that as technology rapidly evolves, new issues and concerns emerge. As with any new technology, we need to better understand the benefits, particularly when it comes to protecting privacy and security in the digital age.

Major Department of Commerce RFID activities:

April 26, 2007: NIST Issues Guidelines for Ensuring RFID Security Read More

March 13, 2007: Remarks of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology United States Department of Commerce delivered at the EU RFID FORUM 2007 Read More

December 8, 2006: Remarks of the Under Secretary for Technology Chief Privacy Officer U.S. Department of Commerce “RFID Government Needs and Initiatives” Delivered at the TTC-AIE-NAF-NMIA Military RFID Conference in Las Vegas Read More   Presentation

October 16, 2006: Remarks of the Under Secretary for Technology EU RFID CONFERENCE 2006; HEADING FOR THE FUTURE at the European Commission Conference Centre Albert Borschete (CCAB) in Brussels, Belgium Read More

June 27, 2006:Under Secretary Robert Cresanti Speaks to the Internet Caucus Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency ID Concerning RFID Opportunities and Challenges.   Read More  Webcast

October 5, 2005: Deputy Assistant Secretary/Chief Privacy Officer Dan Caprio presented a "Panorama of Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Current Applications and Potential Economic Benefits" at the Committee for Information, Computer and Communication Policy (ICCP) of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Paris, France. Presentation   Photo Essay

April 6, 2005: Commerce hosts a second workshop titled “RFID in 2005: Technology and Industry Perspectives,” which follows the 2004 workshop, “From RFID to Smart Dust: The Expanding Market for Wireless Sensor Technologies.” “RFID in 2005” engaged stakeholders and industry in discussions about the potential of the technology and its policy implications. The workshop provided a forum for the private sector to discuss the latest advances in RFID technology, including the benefits of RFID, technology development efforts, current and future applications, and privacy and security considerations.

Media Advisory     Read More     Program Description     Workshop Agenda    Federal Register Notice     Summary and Report Remarks (Opening     Closing ) by Phillip J. Bond Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology Remarks by Daniel W. Caprio, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy and Chief Privacy Officer Summary including Presentations and Audio Archive (Printer Friendly pdf format)   Biographies.

RFID Intra-government Council: Currently co-chaired by the Department of Defense and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Technology and Chief Privacy Officer, Daniel Caprio, the Council serves as a forum for exchanging RFID information between federal government departments and agencies; developing synergy between RFID efforts within the federal government; adopting commons standards to the fullest extent; expanding the productive use of RFID while protecting privacy.

March 28, 2005: Commerce to Sponsor Workshop on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology and Industry Perspectives, April 6, 2005 Read More

February 17, 2005: Announcement: Commerce to Host RFID Workshop with Industry, Wednesday, April 6, 2005. Read More     Program Description and Workshop Agenda     Federal Register Notice

April 1, 2004: The Technology Administration (TA), National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the Patent and Trademark (Office PTO) host “From RFID to Smart Dust: The Expanding Market for Wireless Sensor Technologies" at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC. See Announcement: @ http://www.ntia.doc.gov/forums/sensors/index.html