Promote EPC implementation in Europe

Aim    EEP    EPC in Action   EPC Director      Contact      EPC Showcase    EPC Converter      EPC Implementer

Aim
GS1 in Europe is working with European EPC Project (EEP) and EPC in Action (previously called European Adoption Program (EAP)) to help the European economy reap the greatest benefits from EPCglobal^TM technology as quickly as possible. In addition, GS1 Europe coordinates technical EPC^TM development and providing advice on the EPC^TM process.




EEP - European EPC Project
GS1 EEP is the GS1 Europe EPCglobal Project to help companies to understand and implement EPC and the necessary technology in Europe. GS1 Member Organizations from 25 countries agreed to establish GS1 Europe. This regional platform is established to better serve the needs of all GS1 members.
It is a Project to help companies to implement EPC and the whole technology in Europe. EAP is the GS1 EEP user platform dedicated to manage these specific issues regarding the EPCglobal implementation in Europe.


EPC in Action
EPC in Action (previously called EAP) was set up in recognition of the need for European businesses to develop a common approach to EPCglobal roll out which is fully supported by the EPCglobal development process.
The EAP is a group of EPCglobal subscribers with significant European operations including manufacturers, retailers and solution providers. This group provides an excellent opportunity to learn and exchange information with companies who are doing ‘real work' with EPCglobal and RFID.
Tesco, Metro, Ahold, Carrefour, Unilever, Nestle, Gillette, Kraft and P&G are all committed members of the group which is strongly supported by European GS1 Member Organizations. A broad cross-section of the solution providers offering the technologies required for a successful RFID implementation also participate in the group.
EPCglobal standards are, of course, global; nevertheless European norms and regulations in Radio Transmissions, Health and Safety, Privacy, Environmental Protection and Labour Relations raise specific issues related to the roll out of EPCglobal in Europe. In addition European market structures drive specific business practices and priorities. Finally, legal and cultural differences within Europe make it more difficult to develop co-coordinated approaches to standards development and implementation.

To download the leaflet of EPC in Action click here.

Objectives of EPC in Action
To help European businesses extract maximum business benefit from the use of EPCglobal technology as quickly and simply as possible without duplicating the work of other EPCglobal or GS1 Working Groups

This will be done by  

• Agreeing and publicizing common expectations of how EPCglobal technology will be rolled out in Europe to avoid incompatible approaches

• Ensuring that European views related to EPCglobal are clearly represented to EPCglobal and GS1 Standards and policy groups

• Enabling EAP members to exchange information to assist in the practical implementation and justification of RFID and EPCglobal technology within Europe

• Lobbying and communicating with relevant organizations including industry and consumer groups, government and other regulatory authorities

EPC Director
Stephane Pique as the European EPC Director works on co-ordinating and supporting the different activities aiming to facilitate the proper and smooth implementation of EPC across Europe.
Working together with MO's within GS1 in Europe to help develop, facilitate and provide leadership to European based and/or lead industry work groups such as the European Adoption Programme (EAP).
As a consequence the Director is in a daily connection with GS1 and GS1 EPCglobal, all the EPCglobal activities in Europe are aligned with global activities and directions.
Since the EPC Director is in charge of co-ordinating EEP and EAP as well he is the right direct contact for any inquiring company who feels interest in EPC related activities within Europe.


Contact
For more information regarding the different EPC activities within Europe please visit the European EPCglobal website.
 
EPC Director:
      Stephane Pique
      GS1 in Europe
      E: stephane.pique@gs1eu.org   


EPC Showcase
The EPC Showcase gives an insight into communication structures in connection with the EPCglobal concept. Both the company-internal and the cross-company flow of data is illustrated by means of possible use cases. The EPC Showcase illustrates possible applications and, at the same time, demonstrates the functions of selected EPCglobal components.
The EPC Showcase is available here.

EPC Converter
GS1 Germany's EPC Converter is the first tool capable of converting an EPC into different formats. Users merely have to enter the relevant parameters and select the format to be returned.
The EPC Converter 1.0 can convert the following EPC identification numbers: SGTIN, SSCC, GRAI, GIAI, SGLN.
The EPC Converter is available online, free of charge. Click here to try the Converter!
 
EPC Implementer
In light of EPCIS’s significance in the strategic implementation of EPC, GS1 Germany has developed the EPC Implementer, a detailed reference work for the EPCIS technical specification. This online tool addresses EPCIS Core Event Types, Core Queries and Master Data. Sample xml files are provided to illustrate practical implementation.
The EPC Implementer is available free of charge online here!