Sustainability and NFC Technologies 

Our contactless community has been at the forefront of delivering new and greener payment and access solutions, and this dedication underscores our belief that NFC, already in widespread use, can further serve as a catalyst for positive change and support the circular economy.

Across the technology ecosystem, industry is doing more to support sustainability; not just from an ethical standpoint but also to meet new and pending regional regulatory requirements. Under EU Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), the Digital Product Passport (DPP) initiative presents another strong use case for standards-based NFC technologies. 

By designing easy to use, power-efficient solutions that unlock new markets, the NFC community is bringing sustainability front and center to its work, as well as ensuring sustainability is a key part of NFC Forum’s strategy.

  • Ruggedized Data Carrier (DPP)
  • Aesthetic Industrial Design
  • Powering IoT Devices
  • Charging without Cables
  • Easy-to-Use Universal Readers
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The NFC Forum is committed to establishing standards that align with sustainable product development that foster seamless user experiences across all geographies, industries, and products.

Simplified Data Carrier

NFC Forum compliant tags can already be used as Data Carriers across industry to support evolving DPP Standards.

On-Product DPP

NFC Forum is developing an NFC DPP Standard to increase the utility of DPP by directly storing information on products.

Power IoT Devices

NFC-enabled smartphones can power and connect battery-less IoT devices, eliminating the need for products to be constantly charged and connected to the internet.

Charging without Cables

NFC Wireless Charging allows small personal and wearable devices, such as wireless earbuds, smartwatches and digital styluses, to be charged without cables further reducing e-waste.

Proof of Concept DPP Reader

NFC Forum complaint tags and products can already support Digital Product Passport (DPP) data-carrier hyperlinks. In fact, the related specification was first published nearly two decades ago and is a well established and integrated into most every consumer mobile phone.

Building on that legacy, the NDPP Reader application developed by the NFC Forum for Android and iOS, demonstrates how on-device Digital Product Passport (DPP) data could be stored and retrieved directly from an NFC-enabled product or tag. This approach will enable storing DPP data alongside hyperlink-based consumer engagement applications.

Watch demonstration presented during the NFC Forum ‘Simplifying the Digital Product Passport: Vision NFC’ event, hosted in Nice, France.

NDPP Reader Demo

The NDPP Specification

In 2024, NFC Forum plans to launch its NFC Digital Product Passport (NDPP) Standard where chips NFC Digital Product Passport (NDPP) will be a standard where chips and tags can store a link to connect products to an online DPP accessed from a standard consumer mobile phone.

Expected functionality:

  • Readable by commercial-off-the-shelf smartphones.

  • Peacefully coexist with current NDEF features, mobile behaviors.

  • NDPP can be read without requiring power from the product.

  • Simple URL links to online/cloud DPP data.

  • Future-proof for evolving DPP Standard requirements.

The NDPP Standard also plans to allow some or all DPP data to be directly stored then embedded into products using the same chip or tag used for an online DPP connection. The planned functionality includes:

  • Full/partial/public DPP data embedded into the product.

  • Extended to include additional serialized data.

  • Ensures DPP data survives the full life and disposal of products.

  • Supplemental data to be written and retrieved.

  • Tap location for reading NDPP data to be easily identifiable on product.

  • Clear reference to ISO and CEN standards.

More Resources and Getting Involved

Building community and hosting meaningful conversations about the contactless lifestyle is one the key functions of the NFC Forum. Stay on the lookout for our NFC Forum VisioNFC Event for October 2024 in Nice focused on Sustainability.

Resources

Experts from leading companies and organizations will address the why the DPP matters, how they see future implementation, and how NFC can be used to amplify the DPP's reach, ensure data authenticity, and promote a truly global circular economy.

Circular Economy Webinar

Become a Member

Our mission is to bring the convenience of NFC technology to life by empowering organizations to deliver secure, tap-based interactions with an intuitive, reliable experience to users around the globe.

Membership in the NFC Forum offers organizations the opportunity to shape the direction of our work, gain time-to-market advantage, while also making the business connections to ensure market success. Annual dues start at $2,500 a year and we also offer a limited free membership as well. Apply now.

Membership Application & Agreement