Industries Using RFID and Electronic Product Code Technologies Form Committee to Help Guide Global Public Policy

Group Names Public Affairs Professional Elizabeth Board as Executive Director

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 3, 2004 – EPCglobal Inc. and representatives of various industry sectors that are implementing RFID and electronic product code (EPC) technologies have formed the EPC Public Policy Steering Committee to foster open dialogue with key audiences around public policy and other important areas relative to EPC technologies and the EPCglobal Network.

The committee and its working groups will be comprised of representatives of industries and trade associations worldwide including healthcare, technology, food, consumer products, retail, and others.

The EPC Public Policy Steering Committee has named as its executive director Elizabeth Board, who has extensive experience in communications and public affairs, including executive positions in the White House, federal administration, network news and corporate communications.

"We are pleased to have someone with Elizabeth's credentials heading up this important effort," said Michael Di Yeso, interim president of EPCglobal Inc. and chief operating officer of the Uniform Code Council. "Elizabeth's extensive background will serve us well in addressing public policy issues, communicating best practices and implementing this technology to benefit consumers and manufacturers alike."

"This position offers hands-on experience with a fascinating new technology," Board said. "EPC technologies offer immediate, tangible benefits for consumers, businesses, healthcare, and government agencies. Through a multi-industry, global effort to communicate with consumers about the benefits and issues, we believe public confidence surrounding the technology's potential will continue to grow."

Board will work closely with EPC committee members to address public policy matters and inform industry leaders, consumers, and legislators about the benefits of EPC technology.

EPCglobal is the industry-choice to commercialize RFID (radio frequency identification) and EPC (electronic product code) technologies in the global supply chain. Started in September of 2003, EPCglobal is developing standards for the deployment of RFID and EPC and currently has a subscriber base of over 200 companies representing a cross section of major global industries.

An EPC is a unique number that identifies one specific product from any other in the supply chain. EPC technology uses a silicon chip, an antenna and RFID. In response to a signal from a computer reader, the EPC tag communicates its number back to the reader and into the EPCglobal Network. Once in the network, valuable supply chain data such as date of manufacture, distribution and arrival can be captured. EPC technologies can increase efficiency and productivity in the shipping, distribution, and inventory of goods, helping businesses cuts costs and producing savings and a better shopping experience for consumers.

About EPCglobal
EPCglobal Inc., a joint venture between EAN International and the UCC, is a not-for-profit organization entrusted by industry to establish and support the EPCglobal Network as the global standard for real-time, automatic identification of information in the supply chain of any company, anywhere in the world.

The EPCglobal Network combines radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, existing communications network infrastructure, and the Electronic Product Code (a number for uniquely identifying an item) to enable accurate, cost-efficient visibility of information in the supply chain. The end result helps organizations be more efficient, flexible, and responsive to customer needs. For more information about EPCglobal or EPCglobal US, visit: www.EPCglobalinc.org or www.EPCglobalUS.org