DOD issues final RFID rules
Generation One tags to be permitted through 1 March; write-once, read-many Generation Two tags required thereafter; DoD rejects calls to eliminate RFID requirements for inexpensive shipments
The Department of Defense, the largest government user of RFID tags to trace materiel shipments — all Pentagon suppliers will have to use the radio devices by the end of 2007 — has finally issued a long-awaited rule regarding their replacement schedule. Under the new rule, RFID Generation One tags (unalterable write-once) will be permitted under all new contracts through 1 March and under any contract awarded before 19 May 2006. From that point forward, however, only Generation Two (write-once, read-many) will be permitted. The decision came as a disappointment to some in the industry who had hopes that DoD would actually lift the RFID requirements — which can cost up to $100,000 per tagging location — entirely on shipments of inexpensive items. DoD was not swayed and said that companies could stay in compliance with the purchase of equipment that can read and write tags at a cost of about $2,000.
-read more in Bob Brewin’s FCW report
