Specifications & Ratified Standards

Standards and specifications provide the common definitions, functionality and language for the hardware and software components of the EPCglobal Network. They help advance the EPCglobal community toward a common objective, namely, implementing the EPCglobal Network^TM to improve visibility and efficiency in today's global, multi-industry supply chain.

EPCglobal Specifications

EPCglobal specifications result from much of the work that was begun under the auspices of the Auto-ID Center at MIT and form the foundation for the EPC/RFID technology that the EPCglobal community has begun implementing worldwide. We encourage you to become familiar with these specifications.

NOTE: Click on the titles below to download each of the Specification files.

1. 900 MHz Class 0 Radio Frequency (RF) Identification Tag Specification
   This document specifies the communications interface and protocol for 900 MHz Class 0 operation.  It includes the RF and tag requirements and provides operational algorithms to enable communications in this band.
2. 13.56 MHz ISM Band Class 1 Radio Frequency (RF) Identification Tag Interface Specification
   This specification defines the communications interface and protocol for 13.56 MHz Class 1 operation.  It also includes the RF and tag requirements to enable communications in this band.
3. 860MHz -- 930 MHz Class 1 Radio Frequency (RF) Identification Tag Radio Frequency & Logical Communication Interface Specification
   This document specifies the communications interface and protocol for 860 - 930 MHz Class 1 operation. It includes the RF and tag requirements to enable communications in this band.
4. Class-1 Generation-2 UHF RFID Conformance Requirements Specification Version 1.0.2
   This document specifies the following for the EPCglobal Class-1 Generation-2 UHF RFID Protocol for Communications at 860 MHz - 960 MHz (the Protocol):
   
   • Compliance requirements for physical interactions (the signaling layer of the communications) between Interrogators and Tags, and
   • Compliance requirements for Interrogator and Tag operating procedures and commands.
5. EPCglobal Architecture Framework Version 1.0
   This document defines and describes the EPCglobal Architecture Framework. The EPCglobal Architecture Framework is a collection of interrelated standards for hardware, software, and data interfaces, together with core services that are operated by EPCglobal and its delegates, all in service of a common goal of enhancing the supply chain through the use of Electronic Product Codes^TM (EPCs).
6. Reader Protocol
   This specification defines the communications messaging and protocol between tag readers and EPC compliant software applications, including Savant.
7. Savant Specification
   This specification defines the services Savant performs for application requests within the EPC Network.
8. Physical Markup Language (PML) Core Specification, Extensible Markup Language (XML) Schema and Instance Files
   The PML Core specification establishes a common vocabulary set to be used within the EPC Network.  It provides a standardised format for data captured by readers.  This specification also includes XML Schema and Instance files for your reference.
9. Object Name Service (ONS) Specification
   This document specifies how the ONS is used to locate authoritative meta-data and services associated with a given Electronic Product Code (EPC).

Ratified EPCglobal Standards

EPCglobal Standards are the product of the collaborative efforts of global Subscribers from many industries, who participate in EPCglobal Action & Working Groups. To be considered an EPCglobal Standard, a specification must be ratified by the EPCglobal Board of Governors for release and implementation. We would encourage you to examine these standards closely and become involved in the on-going standard development process.

1. EPC Tag Data Standard Version 1.1 rev 1.27
   This EPCglobal Board Ratified standard identifies the specific encoding schemes for a serialized version of the EAN.UCC Global Trade Item Number (GTIN^®), the EAN.UCC Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC^®), the EAN.UCC Global Location Number (GLN^®), the EAN.UCC Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI^®), the EAN.UCC Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI^®), and a General Identifier (GID). This latest revision adds the DoD construct header and the hexadecimal expression for raw URI representation.
2. Class 1 Generation 2 UHF Air Interface Protocol Standard Version 1.0.9
   This EPCglobal Board Ratified standard defines the physical and logical requirements for a passive-backscatter, Interrogator-talks-first (ITF), radio-frequency identification (RFID) system operating in the 860 MHz - 960 MHz frequency range. The system comprises Interrogators, also known as Readers, and Tags, also known as Labels.