Overview || Issues || Solutions || Policy || AeA RFID Activities || Reports || Contact Info

As RFID applications continue to emerge, it has become very clear that there are too many audiences – including legislators, public policy professionals and the private sector – to whom the full reach of RFID technology remains an enigma. 

The AeA RFID Initiative was developed to explain the value, purpose and applications of RFID technology to key audiences in both the public and private sector. It also addresses the key policy issues that are emerging from the widespread application of RFID technology. Finally, it will speak to the concerns of those companies who are not developers or manufacturers of RFID technology, but who will nevertheless be greatly affected by this technology, particularly in the transport of their goods.

AeA member companies are leaders in RFID technology, and have developed new and innovative applications using RFID.

For more information on RFID, please check our RFID Myths and Facts sheet.

• Procurement: The US Government is increasingly one of the more advanced users, yet it isn’t well known exactly what agencies want, or the amount of money they have to spend.
• Customs/Export: While there are a number of AeA member companies who are not direct suppliers of RFID technology, they will be the end-users of RFID as increased import/export security requirements are put upon both manufacturers and shippers. There is no doubt that RFID is an essential factor in expediting customs clearances of products and goods, and even more so in the future.
• Public Policy: There will be significant public policy issues mounting, such as consumer privacy, intellectual property protection, pharmaceutical safety and national security concerns, as US government agencies become an increasingly more advanced user.
• Standards: A major international standards issue has emerged, where other countries are seeking to promote competing standards that could be used in an anti-competitive manner.

The AeA RFID Initiative has a dedicated steering committee, comprised of member company representatives who address these issues through federal and state advocacy, policy position papers, educational materials for policy makers, and procurement events and programs. The core goals are to:

• Explain the value, purpose and applications of RFID technology to decision-makers both on Capitol Hill, the Administration and state houses across the nation;

• Bring together AeA member companies to network, educate and discuss innovations and practical applications in the field of RFID technology;

• Explore the public policy implications of RFID technology and uses; and

• Further AeA member company government procurement goals.

Overview
The AeA RFID Initiative brings together high-tech RFID manufacturers, software developers, implementers and end-users to work with government stakeholders at every level to promote RFID use grounded by sound public policy. By leveraging AeA’s unique capabilities at the state, federal and international levels, the AeA RFID Initiative enables all technology players in the RFID marketplace – small, medium and large companies alike – to help both private and public sector customers realize a smoother market migration to an RFID business environment.

AeA’s robust program capabilities, in concert with AeA regional offices across the country as well as in Brussels and Beijing, enables AeA members to target their message to the right audience – whether it be legislators, regulators, government procurement and implementation officials or even private industry – on a world-wide basis.

Rep. Sue W. Kelly (R-NY) learns about RFID at a presentation by Philips
at the AeA Congressional RFID Fair on Capitol Hill.

AeA State Government Affairs: The AeA RFID Task Force
As quickly as the technology and uses of RFID have grown and spread, so have the policy questions surrounding RFID increased in state houses across the nation. With 18 regional offices across the nation, AeA’s State Government Affairs (AeA/SGA) is uniquely situated to address state and local concerns with RFID. The AeA/SGA RFID Task Force represents the state policy needs of the high-tech industry through the monitoring of state legislation, personal relationships with state administrators and legislators, and educational programs across the country.

Recent AeA State Government Affairs RFID Policy Activity

	RFID: Security, Privacy, and Good Public Policy This second report of a 2-part series on RFID discusses how authentication and encryption technologies protect RFID-enabled devices from illicit and malicious use in both supply chain management and Secure IDs/Smart Cards. February 2006
	RFID 101: Benefits of the Next Big Little Thing This report details how RFID technology works and discusses its current and potential benefits for the United States.  It serves as a primer for our follow up report, which will address the privacy and security concerns associated with RFID. December 2005

For questions, comments, and sponsorship opportunities please contact:

Eric Ebenstein
Manager & Counsel, Domestic Policy
Southeast Regional Director, State Government Affairs
601 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Suite 600, North Building
Washington, DC 20004
P: 202.682.4439
F: 202.682.9111
eric_ebenstein@aeanet.org

This page was last updated on 08/05/08.  
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