ISO 17367:2013
(Main)Supply chain applications of RFID - Product tagging
Supply chain applications of RFID - Product tagging
ISO 17367:2013 defines the basic features of RFID for use in the supply chain when applied to product tagging. In particular it a) provides specific recommendations about the encoded identification of the product, b) makes recommendations about additional information about the product on the RF tag, c) makes recommendations about the semantics and data syntax to be used, d) makes recommendations about the data protocol to be used to interface with business applications and the RFID system, and e) makes recommendations about the air interface standards between the RF interrogator and RF tag. ISO 17367:2013 only addresses product tagging and does not address product packaging.
Applications de chaîne d'approvisionnements de RFID — Étiquetage de produit
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Frequently Asked Questions
ISO 17367:2013 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Supply chain applications of RFID - Product tagging". This standard covers: ISO 17367:2013 defines the basic features of RFID for use in the supply chain when applied to product tagging. In particular it a) provides specific recommendations about the encoded identification of the product, b) makes recommendations about additional information about the product on the RF tag, c) makes recommendations about the semantics and data syntax to be used, d) makes recommendations about the data protocol to be used to interface with business applications and the RFID system, and e) makes recommendations about the air interface standards between the RF interrogator and RF tag. ISO 17367:2013 only addresses product tagging and does not address product packaging.
ISO 17367:2013 defines the basic features of RFID for use in the supply chain when applied to product tagging. In particular it a) provides specific recommendations about the encoded identification of the product, b) makes recommendations about additional information about the product on the RF tag, c) makes recommendations about the semantics and data syntax to be used, d) makes recommendations about the data protocol to be used to interface with business applications and the RFID system, and e) makes recommendations about the air interface standards between the RF interrogator and RF tag. ISO 17367:2013 only addresses product tagging and does not address product packaging.
ISO 17367:2013 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 55.020 - Packaging and distribution of goods in general. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ISO 17367:2013 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO/IEC 17360:2023, ISO 17367:2009. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
You can purchase ISO 17367:2013 directly from iTeh Standards. The document is available in PDF format and is delivered instantly after payment. Add the standard to your cart and complete the secure checkout process. iTeh Standards is an authorized distributor of ISO standards.
Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 17367
Second edition
2013-03-01
Supply chain applications of RFID —
Product tagging
Applications de chaîne d’approvisionnements de RFID —
Étiquetage de produit
Reference number
©
ISO 2013
© ISO 2013
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior
written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
the requester.
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ii © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Conformance and performance specifications . 1
3 Normative references . 1
4 Terms and definitions . 3
5 Concepts . 3
5.1 Differentiation between this layer and the preceding layers . 3
5.2 Returnable packaging item . 5
5.3 Unique item identifier . 5
5.4 Other identification requirements . 8
6 Differentiation within this layer . 8
6.1 Business processes . 8
6.2 Lot/batch vs. serial number vs. product identification only . 9
6.3 Consumer products vs. industrial/government . 9
7 Data content . 9
7.1 Introduction . 9
7.2 System data elements . .10
7.3 Tag structure .10
7.4 Protocol control (PC) bits .12
7.5 Data elements .13
7.6 Traceability .14
7.7 Unique item serialization .14
8 Data security .14
8.1 Confidentiality .14
8.2 Data integrity .14
8.3 Interrogator authentication .14
8.4 Non-repudiation/audit trail .14
8.5 Product authentication/anti-counterfeiting .14
9 Identification of RFID labelled material .15
10 Backup in case of RF tag failure .15
10.1 Human readable interpretation .15
10.2 Human readable translation .15
10.3 Data titles .15
10.4 Backup .16
11 Tag operation .16
11.1 Data protocol .16
11.2 Minimum performance requirements (range and rate) .16
11.3 Environmental considerations .17
11.4 Tag orientation .18
11.5 Packaging material .18
11.6 Shock loads and abrasions .18
11.7 Tag lifetime .18
11.8 Minimum system reliability .18
11.9 Air interface .18
11.10 Memory requirements for application .18
11.11 Sensor interface, if applicable .18
11.12 Real time clock option .19
11.13 Safety and regulatory considerations.19
11.14 Non-observable data .19
11.15 Tag recyclability .19
11.16 Tag reusability .19
12 Tag location and presentation .20
12.1 Material on which the tag is mounted or inserted .20
12.2 Geometry of the package/tag environment .20
13 Interrogator and reader requirements.20
13.1 Safety and regulatory considerations.20
13.2 Data privacy .20
14 Interoperability, compatibility and non-interference with other RF systems .20
Annex A (informative) Proposed guidelines for the verification and qualification of design and
manufacture for RFID chips and transponders for tyres .21
Annex B (informative) Table of useful data elements for product life cycle management .39
Annex C (normative) Encoding .40
Bibliography .50
iv © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International
Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting.
Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies
casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 17367 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 122, Packaging, Subcommittee SC , .
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 17367:2009), which has been
technically revised.
This International Standard has three annexes: Annexes A and B, which are informative, and Annex C,
which is normative.
Introduction
The ‘Supply Chain’ is a multi-level concept that covers all aspects of taking a product from raw materials
to a final product including shipping to a final place of sale, use and maintenance and potentially disposal.
Each of these levels covers many aspects of dealing with products, and the business process for each
level is both unique and overlapping with other levels.
This International Standard has been created in order to ensure compatibility at the physical, command
and data levels with the four other International Standards under the general title Supply chain applications
of RFID. Where possible, this compatibility takes the form of interchangeability. Where interchangeability
is not feasible, the International Standards within this suite are interoperable and non-interfering. The
International Standards within the complete series of Supply chain applications of RFID include
— ISO 17363, Supply chain applications of RFID — Freight containers;
— ISO 17364, Supply chain applications of RFID — Returnable transport items (RTIs) and returnable
packaging items (RPIs);
— ISO 17365, Supply chain applications of RFID — Transport units;
— ISO 17366, Supply chain applications of RFID — Product packaging;
— ISO 17367, Supply chain applications of RFID — Product tagging.
These International Standards define the technical aspects and data hierarchy of information required
in each layer of the supply chain. The air-interface and communications protocol standards supported
within the Supply chain applications of RFID International Standards are ISO/IEC 18000; commands and
messages are specified by ISO/IEC 15961 and ISO/IEC 15962; semantics are defined in ISO/IEC 15418;
syntax is defined in ISO/IEC 15434.
Although not pertinent to this International Standard, the following work is considered valuable:
— ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology, SC 31, Automatic identification and data capture techniques, in
the areas of air interface, data semantic and syntax construction and conformance standards, and
— ISO/TC 104, Freight containers, in the area of freight container security, including electronic seals
(e-seals) (i.e. ISO 18185) and container identification.
vi © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 17367:2013(E)
Supply chain applications of RFID — Product tagging
1 Scope
This International Standard defines the basic features of RFID for use in the supply chain when applied
to product tagging. In particular it
— provides specific recommendations about the encoded identification of the product,
— makes recommendations about additional information about the product on the RF tag,
— makes recommendations about the semantics and data syntax to be used,
— makes recommendations about the data protocol to be used to interface with business applications
and the RFID system, and
— makes recommendations about the air interface standards between the RF interrogator and RF tag.
This International Standard only addresses product tagging and does not address product packaging.
2 Conformance and performance specifications
All of the devices and equipment that claim conformance with this International Standard shall also
conform to the appropriate sections and parameters specified in ISO/IEC 18046 for performance
and ISO/IEC 18047-6 (for ISO/IEC 18000-63, Type C) and ISO/IEC 18047-3 (for the ASK interface of
ISO/IEC 18000-3, Mode 3) for conformance.
NOTE Annex A gives an illustrative example of an industry-specific conformance/quality document.
3 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 445, Pallets for materials handling — Vocabulary
ISO 830, Freight containers — Vocabulary
ISO 8601, Data elements and interchange formats — Information interchange — Representation of
dates and times
ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802-15-4, Information technology — Telecommunications and information exchange
between systems — Local and metropolitan area networks — Specific requirements Part 15.4: Wireless
Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications for Low-Rate Wireless Personal Area
Networks (WPANs)
ISO/IEC 15418, Information technology — Automatic identification and data capture techniques — GS1
Application Identifiers and ASC MH10 Data Identifiers and maintenance
ISO/IEC 15434, Information technology — Automatic identification and data capture techniques — Syntax
for high-capacity ADC media
ISO/IEC 15459 (all parts), Information technology — Automatic identification and data capture
techniques — Unique identification
ISO/IEC 15961, Information technology — Radio frequency identification (RFID) for item management —
Data protocol: application interface
—1),
ISO/IEC 15962: Information technology — Radio frequency identification (RFID) for item management —
Data protocol: data encoding rules and logical memory functions
ISO/IEC 15963, Information technology — Radio frequency identification for item management — Unique
identification for RF tags
ISO/IEC 16022, Information technology — Automatic identification and data capture techniques — Data
Matrix bar code symbology specification
ISO 17364:2013, Supply chain applications of RFID — Returnable transport items (RTIs) and Returnable
packaging items (RPIs)
ISO/IEC 18000-3, Information technology — Radio frequency identification for item management — Part 3:
Parameters for air interface communications at 13,56 MHz
ISO/IEC 18000-63, Information technology — Radio frequency identification for item management —
Part 63: Parameters for air interface communications at 860 MHz to 960 MHz Type C
ISO/IEC 18004, Information technology — Automatic identification and data capture techniques — QR
Code bar code symbology specification
ISO/IEC 18046 (all parts), Information technology — Radio frequency identification device performance
test methods
ISO/IEC 18047 (all parts), Information technology — Radio frequency identification device conformance
test methods
ISO/IEC 19762 (all parts), Information technology — Automatic identification and data capture (AIDC)
techniques — Harmonized vocabulary
ISO 21067, Packaging — Vocabulary
ISO/IEC/IEEE 21451-5 [IEEE 1451.5], Information technology — Smart Transducer Interface for Sensors
and Actuators — Wireless Communication Protocols and Transducer Electronic Data Sheet (TEDS) Formats
ISO/IEC/IEEE 21451-7, Information technology — Smart transducer interface for sensors and actuators —
Part 7: Transducer to radio frequency identification (RFID) systems communication protocols and Transducer
Electronic Data Sheet (TEDS) formats
ISO/IEC/TR 24729-1, Information technology — Radio frequency identification for item management —
Implementation guidelines — Part 1: RFID-enabled labels and packaging supporting ISO/IEC 18000-6C
ISO/IEC 29160, Information technology — Radio frequency identification for item management — RFID Emblem
ANS MH10.8.2, Data Identifiers and Application Identifiers
GS1 EPC Tag Data Standard Version 1.6
GS1 General Specifications
ICNIRP Guidelines, Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic
fields (up to 300 GHz)
IEEE C95-1, IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Radio Frequency
Electromagnetic Fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz
1) To be published.
2 © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved
4 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 445, ISO 830, ISO 17364,
ISO/IEC 19762 (all parts), and ISO 21067 apply.
For the purposes of this document, hexadecimal characters are represented as 0xnn, where “nn” is the
hexadecimal value.
5 Concepts
5.1 Differentiation between this layer and the preceding layers
Figures 1 and 2 give a graphical representation of supply chain layers. They show a conceptual model
of possible supply chain relationships, not a one-for-one representation of physical things. Although
several layers in Figure 2 have clear physical counterparts, some common supply chain physical items
fit in several layers depending on the use case. For example, as shown in Figure 2, a repetitively used
pallet under constant ownership would be covered by ISO 17364 as an RTI; a pallet that is part of a
consolidated unit load would be covered by this International Standard as a transport unit; and a pallet
that is integral to a single item would be covered by ISO 17366 as product packaging.
The term “supply chain layers” is a multi-level concept that covers all aspects of taking a product from
raw materials to a final product to shipping to a final place of sale, use, maintenance and potentially
disposal and returned goods. Each of these levels covers many aspects of dealing with products and the
business process for each level is both unique and overlapping with other levels.
The Item Level through Freight Container Level layers are addressed within the suite of standards for
“supply chain applications of RFID” and are intended to enhance supply chain visibility. The Movement
Vehicle Level is the purview of ISO/TC 204/WG 7.
The Item Level in Figure 2, and specifically products, (as defined in ISO 17364:2013, 4.1) is the subject
of this International Standard.
Item Level tags can be distinguished from following or preceding layer tags by use of a group select
methodology contained in the RFID interrogator/reader. This group select function allows the
interrogator and supporting automated information systems (AIS) to quickly identify Item Level tags.
Key
1 primary packaging – consumer packaging – (product)
2 secondary packaging – outer packaging – (product package)
3 tertiary packaging – transport packaging – (transport unit)
4 tertiary packaging – unitized transport packaging – (transport unit)
5 pallet – (returnable transport item – RTI)
Figure 1 — Packaging
4 © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved
Layer 5
Movement Vehicle
Movement Vehicle Level
(truck, ship, train, airplane)
Defined by Transport Mode
(Movement vehicle)
Returnable Packaging Item
Layer 4
Freight Container Level
ISO 17363
Container
433 MHz or 2,45 GHz
20/40 Foot Marine and Multi-Modal Container
(8802-15-4 or 18000-7 TPA)
(Freight containers)
Returnable Packaging Item
Layer 3
RTI Level
Returnable Transport Returnable Transport
ISO 17364
Item (RTI) Item (RTI)
(860-960 MHz)
(Various 18000 with TPA)
(Tertiary packaging)
Returnable Packaging Item
Layer 2
Transport Unit Level
Transport Transport
Transport Transport
Unit
ISO 17365 Unit
Unit Unit
(Various 18000 with TPA)
(Tertiary packaging)
Returnable Packaging Item
Layer 1
Product Package Level
Prod Prod Prod Prod
ISO 17366 Prod Prod Prod Prod
Pkg Pkg Pkg Pkg Pkg Pkg Pkg
(860-960 MHz with TPA) Pkg
(13,56 MHz with TPA)
(Secondary packaging)
Returnable Packaging Item
Layer 0
Item Level
ISO 17367
Item Item Item Item
Item Item Item Item Item Item Item Item Item Item Item Item
(860-960 MHz with TPA)
(13,56 MHz with TPA)
(Primary packaging)
Components, Parts, Materials, Subassemblies, etc.
Figure 2 — Supply chain layers
5.2 Returnable packaging item
At all layers within the supply chain are devices that are shipped to a customer with full expectation
that such devices will be returned to the supplier. These returnable packaging items (RPIs) are assets of
value as well as potentially the physical transport unit. RPIs and their identification are well addressed
in Annex A of ISO 17364:2013 and Annex A of ISO 17365:2013.
5.3 Unique item identifier
5.3.1 General
Unique item identification is a process that assigns a unique data string to an individual item, or in
this case to an RFID tag that is associated to the item. The unique data string is called the unique item
identifier. Unique item identification of items allows data collection and management at a granular level.
The benefits of granular level data are evident in such areas as maintenance, retail warranties and
enabling electronic transactions of record. This granularity is possible only if each tagged item has a
unique identification. Items that are not uniquely identified would not normally be tagged at the item
level. Items to which unique item identifiers have been assigned are said to be serialized items. Low cost
consumable items would normally be tagged at the package level or higher as a standard assortment.
Product layer tagging can uniquely identify items, thus providing differentiation between like items
and between like and unlike items. Product layer tagging can also be used to identify items by
differentiating unlike items but not differentiating between like items. This is used for commodity
where individualization is not practical or desired.
The unique product identifier described above shall be the unique identifier as described in
ISO/IEC 15459-4. The unique item identifier (UII) provides granular discrimination between like items
that are identified with RFID tags. The unique tag ID (as defined by ISO/IEC 15963) is a mechanism to
uniquely identify RFID tags and is not the unique product identifier defined in this International Standard.
The minimum data elements required for unique identification are an enterprise identifier and a serial
number that is unique within that enterprise identifier. Commonly, a part or model number is also
required to achieve unique identification.
This International Standard uses the following identification mechanisms for unique product
identification:
— Unique identifiers for supply chain items (ISO/IEC 15459-4);
— GS1 Serialized Global Trade Item Number (SGTIN).
5.3.2 International Unique Identification for Items
The unique identifier of ISO/IEC 15459 provides identification schemes for various layers of the supply chain,
from layer 1 (products) up to layer 4 (returnable transport items). The unique identification of product
packages shall use ISO/IEC 15459-4. Unique identification is provided contextually by three components:
a) issuing agency code (IAC),
b) company identification number (CIN),
c) serial number (SN),
preceded by an AFI and Data Identifier (DI). The AFI code assignments table in ISO/IEC 15961-3, Data
Constructs Register and shown below in Table 1 permits identification of the supply chain layer, i.e.
product = 0xA1, transport unit = 0xA2 returnable transport item = 0xA3, and product package = 0xA5.
,
The Data Identifier shall be “25S”. The ISO/IEC 15459 registration authority assigns the IAC. The CIN
is assigned by the issuing agency. The company registered with the issuing agency assigns the serial
number. The serial number should be no longer than 20 alphanumeric characters.
Table 1 — 1736x AFI Assignments
AFI Assignment ISO Standard
0xA1 17367_ISO ISO 17367, Supply chain applications of RFID — Product tagging
0xA2 17365_ ISO ISO 17365, Supply chain applications of RFID — Transport unit
0xA3 17364_ ISO ISO 17364, Supply chain applications of RFID — Returnable transport item
0xA4 17367_HazMat ISO 17367, Supply chain applications of RFID — Product tagging (HazMat)
0xA5 17366_ ISO ISO 17366, Supply chain applications of RFID — Product packaging
0xA6 17366_HazMat ISO 17366, Supply chain applications of RFID — Product packaging (Haz-
Mat)
0xA7 17365_HazMat ISO 17365, Supply chain applications of RFID — Transport unit (HazMat)
0xA8 17364_HazMat ISO 17364, Supply chain applications of RFID — Returnable transport item
(HazMat)
0xA9 17363_ ISO ISO 17363, Supply chain applications of RFID — Freight container
0xAA 17363_HazMat ISO 17363, Supply chain applications of RFID — Freight container (HazMat)
When stored on a tag with a technology that supports AFIs, the unique identifier shall also be associated
with an AFI. EPC does not use AFIs; consequently, there are no AFIs used for product tagging employed
in retail applications using EPC. AFI 0xA1 may be used for products intended solely for commodities
other than consumer goods. Annex C provides an in-depth discussion of the ISO approach to encoding.
6 © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved
To define its class (in the ISO/IEC 15459 sense), the unique identifier shall have an associated class
identifier, which is the Data Identifier “25S”. For the purposes of this International Standard, a unique
identifier of products should be no longer than 35 alphanumeric characters in length, excluding the Data
Identifier (an3+an.35). See Table 2. With the mutual agreement of the trading partners this length can
be extended to 50 characters (an3+an.50).
Table 2 — ISO UII element string
Format of the License Plate
Data Identifier IAC Company Identification Number (CIN) Serial Reference
25S N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N . . . N
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 35
5.3.3 Serialised Global Trade Identification Number (SGTIN)
The GS1 EPC Serialised Global Trade Item Number (SGTIN) is a Unique Item Identifier (UII) capable of
providing unique item identification of products.
Table 3 — SGTIN-96 element string
Header Filter Value Partition Company Prefix Item Reference Serial Number
Number of
8 3 3 20 to 40 24 to 4 38
bits
999 999 to
a b b c d
Reference 0011 0000 — — 9 999 999 to 9 274 877 906 943
c
999 999 999 999
NOTE Maximum decimal value range of Company Prefix and Item Reference fields vary according to the contents of the
partition field.
a
Binary value.
b
Refer to GS1 EPC, Tag Data Standard Version 1.6 for values
c
Maximum decimal range.
d
Maximum decimal value.
The SGTIN consists of the following information elements:
a) The Header, which is defined in GS1 EPC, Tag Data Standard, Version 1.6. It is eight (8) bits long and
for an SGTIN-96 is the value 0x30. While the remainder of the document describes an SGTIN-96 the
GS1 EPC Tag Data Standard also describes a longer version.
b) The Filter Value, which is defined in the GS1 EPC Tag Data Standard Version 1.6. The Filter Value is
three (3) bits long and identifies whether an EPC is for a retail trade item, a standard trade item
grouping, or a single shipping/consumer trade item.
c) The Partition, defined in the GS1 EPC Tag Data Standard Version 1.6. The Partition is three (3) bits
long, carries one of seven (7) values, and identifies where the subsequent Company Prefix and Item
Reference numbers are divided.
d) The Company Prefix, assigned by GS1 to an organization. The Company Prefix is the same as the
Company Prefix digits within a GS1 GTIN decimal code. The combined Company Prefix and Item
Reference are 44 bits long (13 decimal digits).
e) The Item Reference, assigned by the “Company” entity to a particular product. The combined
Company Prefix and Item Reference are 44 bits long (13 decimal digits).
f) The Serial Number assigned by the managing entity to an individual object. The EPC representation
is only capable of representing a subset of Serial Numbers allowed in the GS1 General Specifications.
Specifically, only those Serial Numbers consisting of one or more digits, with no leading zeros, are
permitted. The length of the Serial Number is 38 bits.
5.4 Other identification requirements
This International Standard does not supersede or replace any applicable safety or regulatory marking
or labelling requirements.
This International Standard is meant to satisfy the minimum product identification requirements of
numerous applications and industry groups. As such, its applicability is to a wide range of industries,
each of which may have specific implementation guidelines for this International Standard. This
International Standard is to be applied in addition to any other mandated labelling requirements.
6 Differentiation within this layer
6.1 Business processes
Business processes such as those described below are illustrative of the applications envisioned by this
International Standard.
Acquisition: ordering, including the identification of relevant specifications and requirements, can
be facilitated by referencing the item’s original acquisition data using the RFID tag’s unique ID as a
database key.
Shipping: where items can have different configurations or capabilities, such as with computer
software loads that differentiate items with otherwise identical form, fit and function, such items
can be issued and shipped with the tag read providing assurance that the correct item was shipped.
This level of non-intrusive tracking and tracing can serve as a front end to higher level in-transit
visibility RFID applications detailed in the other standards of this series.
Receiving: non-intrusive collection of receipt data can shorten data collection times, in support of
automated inventory management systems and provide an electronic transaction of record much
earlier in the process. Earlier knowledge of on-hand inventory can reduce stock outs and the need
for expedited premium transportation.
Cross-docking: in addition to recording inbound receipts and outbound shipments, tagged items can be
sorted. Many items will have exterior marking (tagging) that are used in lieu of reading the product tag.
Work in process: used to track individual components and the final assembly (bill of material) and
to monitor any item through a fabrication or manufacturing process.
— Maintenance: related to work in progress and differentiated in that it covers functions prior to and
subsequent to the actual work. This includes fault analysis, identification, preparation of packing
and packaging.
— Inventory control: item level serialization yields a granularity of visibility that supports the
management of individual items. This allows data collection, tracking and tracing of individual
items and selection at point of issue.
— Disposal: identification of items that have recycling or other disposal requirements.
— Picking and put-away: selection of items from a package or transport unit prior to placement into
shelf stock in a warehouse situation or other storage situation where a specific asset is desired or
knowledge of the specific item selected is required for issue.
— Pick and place: selection of items from shelf stock in a warehouse situation or other storage situation
where a specific asset is desired or knowledge of the specific item selected is required incident to the
placement of the item into or onto another asset incident to a manufacturing or assembly process.
8 © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved
— Sortation: process that places individual items into groups based upon some selection criteria, often
performed at speed.
— Identification: process that is an inherent part of each of the functions set out above. It allows the
positive differentiation of an item consistent with the business process in use. Identification can
be at the discrete item level for serialized products or by commodity for non-serialized products.
Identification is often the underlying base process that enables the other uses of the tag.
— Network topology: can be used to identify discrete nodes or locations on a network.
— Configuration management: discrete identification of the individual component items that comprise a
higher assembly. This component data can be tiered to cover each of the multiple levels of configuration
(e.g. the circuit board inside the radio installed in the communications suite of an aircraft).
The multitude of different business processes circumscribed by the supply chain will employ distinctly
different groupings of functions and processes outlined above. The reading, writing or erasing of data
to/from a tag is intended to effect identification and data capture about the product and the process
involved and shall be integrated into business processes as required by the business process owner.
6.2 Lot/batch vs. serial number vs. product identification only
Just as different business processes have varying data requirements, different items will have varying
identification requirements. Use of structured or intelligent serialization schemes include additional
data such as part number or lot number in the serialization scheme and should be avoided whenever
possible. This means ideally that the serialization is unique within the enterprise.
The lowest level of identification would be product ID only. Lot and batch type items shall be marked
with the product ID of the item and the lot or batch of that item that this particular item belongs to.
Serialized items shall be marked with a unique serial number in conformance with the appropriate part
of ISO/IEC 15459, which details the differing methods of serialization that provide unique identification.
The need to identify an item at each level is not absolute. Many items are manufactured, sold, and used
at the commodity level. Examples are sand, coal and bulk liquids. These items may be marked at the lot
level or simply as a generic commodity.
Medicines are typical of the type of item that is manufactured and managed at the lot level but sold and
used at the item level. Thus, a particular dosage of medicine will require unique identification of that
dose and the ability to reference that back to the original manufacturing lot. Looking up associated
information on the information system may accomplish this reference.
6.3 Consumer products vs. industrial/government
Personal privacy considerations present a unique set of considerations for consumer products as
opposed to products that remain exclusively in the industrial/government sectors. Consumer privacy
regulations shall be considered in the design and operation of every consumer level product scenario.
Encryption and data security are addressed in Clause 8.
7 Data content
7.1 Introduction
Subclauses 7.2 to 7.7 describe the data content of RFID tags for the product layer. They identify,
amongst others,
— the data elements that shall or may be present on the tag,
— the way in which the data elements are identified (semantics),
— the representation of data elements in tag memory, and
— the placement of data elements in the memory of the tag.
7.2 System data elements
7.2.1 Unique product identification
The first data element on a compliant tag shall be the unique identification described in ISO/IEC 15459-4.
The length and nature of this unique identification is defined in this data element. For an ISO/IEC 18000-63,
Type C and ISO/IEC 18000-3, Mode 3 compliant tag, the “unique identification” data element is segregated
from any additional (user data) by the memory architecture. The unique identification data element
shall be stored in UII memory (Bank 01), with any additional data being stored in user memory (Bank
11). For the purposes of this International Standard, a unique identifier of product packages can be up
to 35 alphanumeric characters in length, excluding the Data Identifier (an3+an.35). With the mutual
agreement of the trading partners this length can be extended to 50 characters (an3+an.50). Annex C
provides an in-depth analysis of encoding.
7.2.2 Data semantics
Tags that only encode the unique product identity should conform to ISO/IEC 15961. This data structure
will conform to Annex C. Tags containing complex data structures or larger data sets shall include
semantics that conform to ISO/IEC 15418 and Annex C of this International Standard.
7.2.3 Data syntax
Tags that encode identity only are considered to have no syntax. Tags containing complex data structures
or larger data sets shall conform to Annex C of this International Standard.
For certain types of products, e.g. tyres, this International Standard also recognizes the use of Relative
OIDs, as defined in ISO/IEC 15962. In such cases the DSFID employs a Format 13 (0x0D), defined in the
15961-2 Data Constructs Register. This format is a non-directory Access Method using ASC MH10.8.2 Data
Identifiers and the relative OIDs found at: http://www.autoid.org/ANSI_MH10/ansi_mh10sc8_wg2.htm.
7.2.4 Tag character set
Tags using Data Identifiers shall employ characters from the character set 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C,
D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, [, \, ], :, ;, < , = , > , ?, @, (, ), *, +, -, ., /, ,
, , , , and Space, as shown in Table C.1.
7.3 Tag structure
7.3.1 Unique product identifiers
Memory Bank “01” of a product tagging shall contain either an ISO/IEC defined AFI or an EPC GS1 defined
EPC. The ISO/IEC 15961 AFI for product package is 0xA2, in bits 0x18 – 0x1F as described in Tables 1 and
4. Support for ISO standards (including AFIs) is indicated when bit 0x17 is set to “1”. Alternatively, support
for GS1 EPC coding is indicated when bit 0x17 is set to “0” as described in the GS1 EPC Tag Data Standard.
NOTE A 96-bit SGTIN is represented by EPC header 0x30.
7.3.2 Tag memory
Figure 3 provides a graphical representation of tag memory.
10 © ISO 2013 –
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