On April 21, Jesus Gonzalez, Veronica Gonzalez, Claudia Salgado and Coralie Bordes from the U.S. Commercial Service in Mexico City, visited the Electronic Product Code (EPC) Laboratory of the Mexican Association of Electronic Commerce Standards (AMECE). The EPC Laboratory is an investigation, development, testing and demonstration center that supports the formation of identification technology processes based on radio frequency. Its main objectives are the promotion and implementation of standardized electronic product coding in Mexico.

The EPC Laboratory offers technical services using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) devices to follow, control, identify and record products on their path through the supply chain to distribution and point of sale. 

In the EPC Laboratory, companies can perform trials for their products using RFID technology. With tools such as aerials, readers, labels, etc, companies have found areas of opportunity to improve their internal and external processes by including RFID applications that simplify the quality control, stocking and tracking of their products. For instance, some pharmaceutical companies have found it useful to add RFID labels on their products to track expiration dates and measure levels of humidity and temperature. This RFID application has not only facilitated compliance with sanitary regulations, but it has also made possible the authenticity verification of pharmaceutical products to avoid piracy and thus prevent harm to humans. 

Clothing stores have also found a useful application for RFID technology. A recognized jeans brand ran trials to implement a unique system to track items that are received in the store. Not only does each of the items in the store have radio frequency identification, but so do, all the stocking shelves. Every time an item is placed on a stocking shelf, the computer records the item’s characteristics for purposes of inventory. When a customer takes an item from a stocking shelf, the computer records the missing item and notifies the store employee of any item that needs to be replaced. RFID technology is also attractive for customers, since they can interact with RFID applications to maximize their shopping experience. By passing items though the RFID reader, customers are able to check if their size and favorite color are available. Using a RFID reader that is integrated into a virtual image application, clients are also able to play with colors and textures to visualize how the garments will look on them, before they buy.

Many companies that have run trials in the EPC Laboratory are now using RFID technology. With the EPC Laboratory, AMECE continues to actively participate in the development of innovative solutions that contribute to the creation of electronic standards that benefit the trade activities in Mexico.

  To learn more on the EPC Laboratory, please visit:

  http://www.amece.org.mx/amece/Laboratorio_EPC.php

To learn more on AMECE, please visit:

 http://www.amece.org.mx/amece/index.php