rfid – a stoa workshop?

12.03.200612.03.2006 Dr. Jorgo Chatzimarkakis MEPDr. Jorgo Chatzimarkakis MEP

RFID – RFID – A STOA Workshop?A STOA Workshop?

Dr. Jorgo ChatzimarkakisDr. Jorgo ChatzimarkakisMember of European ParliamentMember of European Parliament

Committe of Industry/Research/EnergyCommitte of Industry/Research/Energy


Why does the EU Regulate?Why does the EU Regulate?

Harmonising Legislation of Member States in the Single MarketHarmonising Legislation of Member States in the Single Market

70% of Economic Legislation in Member States by EU70% of Economic Legislation in Member States by EU

80% of Environmental Legislation80% of Environmental Legislation

90% of Consumer Protection Legislation90% of Consumer Protection Legislation

100% of Food Safety Legislation100% of Food Safety Legislation

Producing too much EU Laws?Producing too much EU Laws?

What ist „Better Regulation?“What ist „Better Regulation?“

EU Competence to RegulateEU Competence to Regulate

Two Instruments: Directives and InstrumentsTwo Instruments: Directives and Instruments


What is STOA?What is STOA?

STOA: THE STOA: THE AASSESSMENT OF SSESSMENT OF SSCIENTIFIC AND CIENTIFIC AND TTECHNOLOGICAL POLICY ECHNOLOGICAL POLICY OOPTIONS FOR PTIONS FOR THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTTHE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

The impact of science and technology on EU policy is getting more important The impact of science and technology on EU policy is getting more important as legislation and environment are more and more technology driven!as legislation and environment are more and more technology driven!

The European Parliament defines its position on these issues through reports The European Parliament defines its position on these issues through reports prepared by its Committees. If Committees decide that it would be helpful to prepared by its Committees. If Committees decide that it would be helpful to their policy making role to seek out expert, independent assessments of the their policy making role to seek out expert, independent assessments of the various scientific or technological options in the policy sectors concerned, then various scientific or technological options in the policy sectors concerned, then they have they have STOA at their disposalSTOA at their disposal: the Parliament's own Scientific and : the Parliament's own Scientific and Technological Options Assessment unitTechnological Options Assessment unit

STOA is an official organ of the European Parliament, but its work is carried out STOA is an official organ of the European Parliament, but its work is carried out in partnerschip with external experts. These can be research institutes, in partnerschip with external experts. These can be research institutes, universities, laboratories, consultancies or individual researchers contracted to universities, laboratories, consultancies or individual researchers contracted to help prepare specific projects. help prepare specific projects.


Preparation of a STOA StudyPreparation of a STOA Study

In mid-2005 a proposal for a study on RFID was given to STOA:In mid-2005 a proposal for a study on RFID was given to STOA:The study to be carried out should focus mainly on the effects RFID The study to be carried out should focus mainly on the effects RFID solutions will have on European industries and economies, solutions will have on European industries and economies, particularly in the field of logistics. On the other hand must the non-particularly in the field of logistics. On the other hand must the non-use of RFID due to prohibitive legislation be discussed in the study, use of RFID due to prohibitive legislation be discussed in the study, too. An important aspect here is the competitiveness in comparison to too. An important aspect here is the competitiveness in comparison to markets, where RFID solutions will be widely used. The question of markets, where RFID solutions will be widely used. The question of data protection shall be discussed, especially, mainly in conjunction data protection shall be discussed, especially, mainly in conjunction with technical possibilities, which could combine the use of RFID with with technical possibilities, which could combine the use of RFID with the requirements of a modern and liberal data protection level.the requirements of a modern and liberal data protection level.

The STOA panel adopted the proposal and the study was given to the The STOA panel adopted the proposal and the study was given to the institution of Christian van`t Hof who is here today aswellinstitution of Christian van`t Hof who is here today aswell


How does the EU Regulate?How does the EU Regulate?

Commission has right of initiativeCommission has right of initiative

Organising consultations (involving all stakeholders)Organising consultations (involving all stakeholders)

White paper (optional)White paper (optional)

Communication to the Council and the European ParliamentCommunication to the Council and the European Parliament

If asked by the Council: Proposal for a legislationIf asked by the Council: Proposal for a legislation

Process of co-decision / EP equally involvedProcess of co-decision / EP equally involved

Example: „Software Patents“Example: „Software Patents“

Influence of European Parliament has grownInfluence of European Parliament has grown


Why is RFID important for EU?Why is RFID important for EU?

Competence is given (Information Society)Competence is given (Information Society)

Question of Single Market („trade barrier“)Question of Single Market („trade barrier“)

Lisbon AgendaLisbon Agenda

Consumer protectionConsumer protection

EU Commissioner Viviane Reding:EU Commissioner Viviane Reding:

„„RFID, which will soon replace bar codes in your supermarket, offer RFID, which will soon replace bar codes in your supermarket, offer tremendous opportunities for business and society. But their power tremendous opportunities for business and society. But their power to report their location, identity and history also raises serious to report their location, identity and history also raises serious concerns about personal privacy and security, as well as technical concerns about personal privacy and security, as well as technical interoperability and international compatibility.“interoperability and international compatibility.“


What does the EU concretely do on RFID?What does the EU concretely do on RFID?

On 9 March EU Commissioner Reding launched wide-ranging On 9 March EU Commissioner Reding launched wide-ranging public debatepublic debate

Question: Opportunities and challenges posed by RFID for Question: Opportunities and challenges posed by RFID for government, industry and societygovernment, industry and society

4 major steps4 major steps

March-June 06: Series of high-level workshopsMarch-June 06: Series of high-level workshops June-July 06: Wide-public online-consultation based on outcome June-July 06: Wide-public online-consultation based on outcome

of workshops (on Commission‘s Website)of workshops (on Commission‘s Website) Fall 06: Final report and presentation of findingsFall 06: Final report and presentation of findings End 06: Communication on the future EU framework for RFIDEnd 06: Communication on the future EU framework for RFID


Thematic Workshop 1: Thematic Workshop 1: RFID Application Domains and Emerging TrendsRFID Application Domains and Emerging Trends

RFID Offers promising application potentialRFID Offers promising application potential

Various domains: Pharmaceuticals, health, agriculture, transport, Various domains: Pharmaceuticals, health, agriculture, transport, logistics, security etc.logistics, security etc.

→→ Workshop will identify applications and prioritise themWorkshop will identify applications and prioritise them


Thematic Workshop 2: Thematic Workshop 2: RFID Research and Technological TrendsRFID Research and Technological Trends

Carry out a survey of the important technological trends (e.g. Carry out a survey of the important technological trends (e.g. enhanced sensors, nonsilicon technologies)enhanced sensors, nonsilicon technologies)

Summarise innovative applications brought by introducing „Ambient Summarise innovative applications brought by introducing „Ambient Intelligence“ and „Internet of Things“ conceptsIntelligence“ and „Internet of Things“ concepts

Including technological chellenges for software and networksIncluding technological chellenges for software and networks

Defining future requirements for collaborative research at EU level Defining future requirements for collaborative research at EU level (FP 7, especially „Ambient Intelligence“)(FP 7, especially „Ambient Intelligence“)

Analysing likely social, political and economic impact of the new Analysing likely social, political and economic impact of the new technologiestechnologies


Thematic Workshop 3: Thematic Workshop 3: End-User / Consumer Issues (Privacy)End-User / Consumer Issues (Privacy)

Adressing the possible need for revising the e-privacy directive in Adressing the possible need for revising the e-privacy directive in relation to RFIDrelation to RFID

Ethical implications of RFIDEthical implications of RFID

Acceptability of technological approaches to build trustAcceptability of technological approaches to build trust

Special focus on privacy and authentification (tag to reader, reader Special focus on privacy and authentification (tag to reader, reader to tag, reader to network)to tag, reader to network)

Enhancing security (main concern when it comes to privacy)Enhancing security (main concern when it comes to privacy)


Thematic Workshop 4: Thematic Workshop 4: Interoperability / Standardisation / IPRInteroperability / Standardisation / IPR

Discussion of interoperability issues and solutionsDiscussion of interoperability issues and solutions

Dealing with patents related to RFIDDealing with patents related to RFID

Covering all levels of standardisation that play a role in facilitating Covering all levels of standardisation that play a role in facilitating the rollout of the technologythe rollout of the technology

Including governance models and processes for RFID technologies Including governance models and processes for RFID technologies and related database systemsand related database systems

Especially when objects of any kind are linked to a data source Especially when objects of any kind are linked to a data source (Object Naming System, DNS, IPv6 etc.)(Object Naming System, DNS, IPv6 etc.)


Thematic Workshop 5: Thematic Workshop 5: Frequency Spectrum Requirements – Status/TrendsFrequency Spectrum Requirements – Status/Trends

Addressing the need and availability of spectrum for RFIDAddressing the need and availability of spectrum for RFID

Defining a feasible implementation strategy for the UHF and HF Defining a feasible implementation strategy for the UHF and HF RFID tagsRFID tags

Identification of obstacles (technical, economic, political)Identification of obstacles (technical, economic, political)

Provision of wide support from Member StatesProvision of wide support from Member States


What has been done so far?What has been done so far?

In January 2005 the Art. 29 Working Party published an opinion In January 2005 the Art. 29 Working Party published an opinion paperpaper

„„Working document on data protection issues related to RFID Working document on data protection issues related to RFID technology“technology“

In September 2005 the Results were posted on the website In September 2005 the Results were posted on the website („Results of the Public Consultation on Data Protection Issues („Results of the Public Consultation on Data Protection Issues Related to RFID Technology“)Related to RFID Technology“)

Two opposed groups of stakeholders: Two opposed groups of stakeholders:

Most corporations and trade associations (exept industry that Most corporations and trade associations (exept industry that provides security solutions)provides security solutions)

Consumer associations, universities, think tanks arguing for better Consumer associations, universities, think tanks arguing for better data protectiondata protection


What does the European Parliament do?What does the European Parliament do?

STOA (Scientific and Technical Options Assesment)STOA (Scientific and Technical Options Assesment)

Issued a study on RFID carried out by the Rathenau Institute in Issued a study on RFID carried out by the Rathenau Institute in NLNL

Panel decided on a workshop in May 06 (most probably 22 May)Panel decided on a workshop in May 06 (most probably 22 May)

Panelists includePanelists include

EU Commission/ENISAEU Commission/ENISA Rathenau InstituteRathenau Institute Metro (Dr. Wolfram)Metro (Dr. Wolfram) Philips (Terstegge)Philips (Terstegge) RFID Info Forum (Dr. Huber)RFID Info Forum (Dr. Huber) Consultancies/AcademiaConsultancies/Academia


What can we learn from „Software Patents“?What can we learn from „Software Patents“?

NGO SocietyNGO Society

Emotions are stronger than argumentsEmotions are stronger than arguments

Industry should not overestimate its role (e.g. REACH)Industry should not overestimate its role (e.g. REACH)

EU Commissioner set things very clear: EU Commissioner set things very clear: „Let me be clear: I will not „Let me be clear: I will not see the liberty of citizens their fundamental rights being see the liberty of citizens their fundamental rights being compromised.“compromised.“

Involve the civil society – use positive examples (Football Involve the civil society – use positive examples (Football Championship)Championship)

If citizens are convinced about the advantages they would accept If citizens are convinced about the advantages they would accept impact on privacy (e.g. GSM)impact on privacy (e.g. GSM)


What to do now?What to do now?

Cebit caused a broad public interestCebit caused a broad public interest

EP will be on board after the Communication by the Commission EP will be on board after the Communication by the Commission end of 2006end of 2006

But once the Communication is drafted, changes are more difficult But once the Communication is drafted, changes are more difficult to achieveto achieve

Take the privacy issue seriously into account – the earlier the betterTake the privacy issue seriously into account – the earlier the better

→ → Involve Politicians on all levels now!Involve Politicians on all levels now!

rfid – a stoa workshop?

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