AIAG Tire RFID Automotive Standard Now Meets Retail Mandates

DETROIT, Sept. 28 -- The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) and EPCglobal Inc. announced today that the revision to the AIAG B-11: "Tire and Wheel Label and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Standard" now complies with automotive and retail requirements by providing one global RFID tag per tire for tracking and identification in both of these industries.

"AIAG recognized the need for retail applications when provisions were made three years ago in the original 'Tire and Wheel Label and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Standard' -- the first and only item-level RFID standard in the world," said Andrew J. Cummins, executive director of AIAG. "By collaborating with EPCglobal on this standard to refine these provisions, we are able to provide a one-tag-fits-all solution, eliminating the need for multiple tags to service both the automotive and retail industries and helping to reduce the cost and complexity of RFID implementation."

AIAG and EPCglobal developed the standard's revision with OEMs and tire suppliers to allow retail information, such as the manufacturer, product and serial number, to be included in the RFID tag.

Originally released in 2001, the AIAG B-11: "Tire and Wheel Label and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Standard" guides suppliers on the printing and placement of two-dimensional (2-D) bar code labels and passive read/write RFID tags on tires and wheels to identify products. Although the standard focuses on tires, it actually could be applied to any individual vehicle part for tracking purposes. By using the standard, suppliers may achieve cost reductions in RFID implementation and improvements in data accuracy and inventory control.

"Working with AIAG in the development of this open global standard was necessary to further guide the development of RFID across the automotive and retail industries," said John Seaner, senior director industry development of EPCglobal. "The AIAG B-11: 'Tire and Wheel Label and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Standard' is compliant with the initiatives of EPCglobal."

The AIAG B-11: "Tire and Wheel Label and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Standard" is available online at http://www.aiag.org/ or by calling AIAG's customer service department at (248) 358-3003. The cost of the standard is $10 for members and $50 for non-members. AIAG members may download the standard at no charge from the members-only portion of the organization's Web site at http://www.aiag.org/ .

About AIAG

Founded in 1982, AIAG is headquartered in the metro Detroit area. Its more than 1,600 member companies include North American, European and Asia- Pacific OEMs and suppliers to the automotive industry with combined annual sales of more than $850 billion. A not-for-profit association, AIAG's primary goals are to reduce cost and complexity within the automotive supply chain and to improve speed to market, product quality, employee health-and-safety and the environment. Additional information is available on the Internet at http://www.aiag.org/ .

About EPCglobal Inc.

EPCglobal Inc. is a member-driven organization comprised of leading firms and industries focused on creating global standards for the EPCglobal Network(TM). Its goal is increased visibility and efficiency throughout the supply chain and higher quality information flow between companies and their trading partners.