Electronic Product Code (EPC): A Key to RFID
P.J. Jakovljevic - August 2, 2004

Introduction

In simple terms, the electronic product code (EPC) is a unique number that identifies a specific item in the supply chain by linking serial numbers to the product information stored in a central database, and which is stored on a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. Once it is retrieved from the tag, it can be associated with dynamic data such as where an item originated or the date of its production. Users of EPC codes will have to purchase the numbers from EPCglobal, the organization behind the evolving RFID standards, and which assigns these numbers to identify the manufacturer, product, and serial number...