Policymakers' Guide to Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
Roundtable Discussion on Opportunities & Challenges
June 27, 2006
Overview | Panelist Biographies | Video/Audio | Photos
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is already becoming a powerful presence in large enterprises and federal agencies, and even in smaller-scale operations, like a growing number of libraries and inventory-intensive small businesses. These small RFID "tags" allow the identification and tracking of physical items using radio waves, and have far reaching implications for processes as wide-ranging as factories, hospitals, airports, battlefields and retails stores. Legislation aimed at limiting the use of this technology has started to appear in state legislatures.
The Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee hosted a roundtable discussion on featuring experts steeped in RFID technology and policy who discussed the potential for this technology. The group also introduced congressional staff to the associated policy considerations: privacy, security, health, and spectrum. Sectors that are currently deploying RFID technology to increase efficiencies include Retail, Healthcare and Pharmaceutical, Transportation and Automotive, Financial/Electronic payments systems, Asset/Inventory Management, Supply Chain and Distribution, Security, and Agriculture.
All attendees received the full-color, illustrated brochure "Policymakers' Guide to RFID Technology" developed by the Internet Caucus Advisory Committee in consultation with experts in the field. To order brochures for your office please contact Danielle Yates.
The roundtable featured opening remarks by Robert Cresanti, Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology, United States Department of Commerce.
Dan Caprio served as roundtable facilitator. Mr. Caprio is Executive Vice President, Progress & Freedom Foundation and former Co-Chair, Federal RFID Council as well as Chief Privacy Officer, Department of Commerce.
Roundtable Discussants Included: Elizabeth Board (EPC Global), Paula Bruening (Center for Democracy & Technology), Douglas Farry (McKenna Long & Aldridge), Shannon Kellogg (RSA Security), and Jeff Richards (VeriSign).
This was the first in a series of discussions under the RFID Roundtable project.
This event was hosted in conjunction with the Congressional Internet Caucus and its Co-Chairs, Senators Burns and Leahy and Congressmen Goodlatte and Boucher, and the Chair of the Wireless Task Force, Congressman Honda.