DOCUMENT #: GSC15-GRSC8-11

FOR: Presentation

SOURCE: ETSI

AGENDA ITEM: 7

CONTACT(S): Gabrielle Owen, ERM Chair

Re-launch of GRSC Electronic Article Surveillance

(EAS) Task Force

Gabrielle Owen,TC ERM Chair

Global Standards Collaboration (GSC) GSC-15

What are we talking about ? a security tag containing a resonant circuit, consisting of an air coiled

(or ferrite cored) loop and a capacitor. The tag is attached to article prior to being put on sale.

an induction loop antenna system which scans or sweeps over the frequency band. If a tag is detected, the system raises an alarm. Typically, these are located in the "gates" at the entrances/exits of shops.

At the point of sale, these cheap labels are destroyed by means of a so called deactivator. It uses the principle of a pulse listen system. The system scans over the band, and once it discovers a tag within range it produces a burst at the resonance frequency of the tag with much higher field strength than the normal scanning field strength, and the tag is destroyed so it cannot be detected by the gates anymore.

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What is the problem ? shoplifting is becoming a growing social worldwide problem. at present, retailers place security tags on their merchandise locally,

paying their own staff to perform this task. source tagging at the point of manufacture is increasing and can

significantly reduce the overall cost. increasing source tagging of goods for global delivery requires the

harmonization of systems and frequencies on a global level. there are some concerns over potential interference with existing

safety & distress systems. similar systems are developing for medical implants; devices used

inside and outside aircraft; ID cards; luggage handling systems in airports, item management, logistics, livestock, etc.

a full description can be found in document GSC-15-GRSC8-xx

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What can GSC do? gather more information about the different systems and frequencies

presently in use around the world. discuss with various regulatory authorities to evaluate the possibilities

of moving towards standard frequencies. further investigate the "safety & distress" systems issue by gathering

more technical information about these stations. organize a measuring campaign to better quantify the potential for

interference between EAS tagging systems and the "safety & distress" systems (and hopefully provide sufficient evidence to prove that it is not a "real" problem !).

How ? - by re-launching the RFID/EAS Task Force !

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History of EAS/RFID activity in GSC GSC-9 - agreed a RESOLUTION (RES 9/7) and

established a TASK FORCE to evaluate the possibilities for globalization of standards, frequencies and power levels.

GSC-10 - renewed the RESOLUTION (as RES 10/9) and the TASK FORCE continued.

GSC-11 - renewed the RESOLUTION (as RES 11/3) but in the meantime the TASK FORCE convenor had changed jobs and it "fizzled-out".

GSC-12 - renewed the RESOLUTION (as RES 12/3) but changed the focus to "Network Aspects of Identification Systems"; and by GSC-13 the topic was relegated to "Information Sharing".

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Proposal for GSC-15

Approve a new Resolution on EAS

• See document GSC-15-GRSC8-xx

Create a GRSC Task Force on EAS

• ETSI is willing to offer Jacques Hulshof (NEDAP, NL) as Task Force Convener.

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