Washington, D.C., January 16, 2004—The boards of directors of the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) and the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) today endorsed guidelines designed for use by companies engaged in the large-scale deployment of Electronic Product Code (EPC). The principles will help ensure that consumers’ privacy rights are protected as EPC is implemented over the next several years.

Electronic Product Code is an emerging system that uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to automatically collect identifying information. The technology is currently being used for applications including highway toll payment systems and security pass cards. EPC has the potential to be used on many everyday consumer products as they move through the supply chain from factories through distribution centers and into retail stores. As EPC evolves, it promises to offer significant benefits to consumers and companies including faster, more efficient removal of expired products or recalled products and more rapid delivery of products to retail shelves.

"These guidelines, developed by EPCGlobal for the use of our industry, are an important step in the development of EPC and RFID," said GMA CEO and President C. Manly Molpus. "As the industry adopts these technologies, we are committed to doing so in a way that protects consumer privacy and offers consumer benefits. GMA and its member companies will continue to participate in discussions about the responsible use of EPC and RFID in the consumer packaged goods industry."

The guidelines cover four areas:

Record use, retention and security: As with conventional bar code technology, companies will use, maintain and protect records generated through EPC in compliance with all applicable laws. Companies will publish their policies regarding the protection of any consumer specific data generated through their operations.

The guidelines were created by EPCGlobal Inc., which develops and oversees standards for the EPC network. EPCglobal also provides a global number registry service for electronic product codes in the supply chain. The guidelines will continue to evolve as advances in EPC and its applications are made and as consumer research is conducted.

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Based in Washington, D.C., the Grocery Manufacturers Association is the voice of more than 300 leading food, beverage and consumer product companies that sustain and enhance the quality of life for hundreds of millions of people in the United States and around the globe.

Founded in 1908, GMA is an active, vocal advocate for its member companies and a trusted source of information about the industry and the products consumers rely on and enjoy every day. The association and its member companies are committed to meeting the needs of consumers through product innovation, responsible business practices and effective public policy solutions developed through a genuine partnership with policymakers and other stakeholders.

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