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The European Commission presented its new proposal for the radio frequency identification (RFID) tags strategy for Europe after one year of consultations. The strategy will be drafted in cooperation with a Stakeholder Group to be created and Article 29 Working Party.

An EU study had been initiated after a 6-months period of consultations that had shown concerns related to the use of RFID tags especially regarding public awareness and fears that the system would affect privacy. The study advised on the necessity to assure the public that the tags would not turn into a large-range surveillance system and that people would have control on the information included in the tags.

At that time more than 55% of the individuals and organisations having participated in the study considered a change in the legislation was needed for data and privacy protection.

Commissioner Viviane Reding presented the new Commission's strategy on 15 March 2007, at CeBIT, the world's largest annual IT fair in Hanover, Germany. Having in view the results of the consultation, the Commissioner stated: "The Commission's RFID strategy will therefore seek to raise awareness, stress the absolute need for citizens to decide how their personal data is used and ensure that Europe removes existing obstacles to RFID's enormous potential."

In order to take into account the RFID chips booming market, the European Commission will make changes to the Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive with amendments that will be proposed by the middle of 2007.

Commissioner Reding said that she was forming an RFID Stakeholder Group made up of citizens, scientists, data protection experts and businesses that would work along with the EU advisory group Article 29 Data Protection Working Group in helping the Commission to develop its RFID strategy and discuss how the tags should be used.

According to Reding, the RFID Stakeholder Group will help in finding ways for consumers to protect themselves from potential surveillance that the RFID might allow and educate the public on the issue.

"We must not over-regulate RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)," also said Viviane Reding, at the Cebit show, considering that the radio tags market should be given the possibility to develop without interference from the European Commission.

She also stated that, by the end of the year, recommendations would be published on issues of data protection and privacy related to RFID along with an assessment of other necessary law changes.

"RFID is of policy concern because of its potential to become a new motor of growth and jobs if the barriers to innovation can be overcome.. production price of RFID tags is now approaching a level that permits wide commercial and public sector deployment. With wider use, it becomes essential that the implementation of RFID takes place under a legal framework that affords citizens effective safeguards for fundamental values, health, data protection and privacy." was the Commission statement.

EU study on RFID tags shows major privacy concerns (25.10.2006)
http://www.edri.org/edrigram/number4.20/rfid

Commission proposes a European policy strategy for smart radio tags (15.03.2007)
http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/newsroom/cf/itemlongdetail.cfm...

Public to shape smart tag policy (15.03.2007)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6453931.stm

RFID chips will force changes to Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive (20.03.2007)
http://www.out-law.com/page-7890