The Mark of Trust: Wayfinding and Certification Marks for NFC Technology

NFC technology has become an ever-present part of our lives across the last couple of decades. With just a tap, users are able to make contactless payments, unlock doors without carrying keys or a card, easily set up smart devices, wirelessly charge smaller devices and more. Use cases continue to proliferate as we progress along the long arc of contactless, with more and more devices becoming NFC-enabled each year.

Unlike other wireless technologies which indiscriminately broadcast their presence to the world around them, NFC is centered on user intent. The use cases for NFC technology are predicated on user control and so every new use case will require users to know where to tap their device to complete their desired action.

While many other organizations are developing their own wayfinding marks, guiding users to the correct tapping location is not only a key goal of NFC Forum, but crucial to maximize the success of using NFC and provide optimal connectivity.

This helps to build consumer trust that the technology works as intended, and ensure they feel confident using it for new and emerging use cases. Users will not only know where to tap, but also what will happen when they do.

The NFC Wayfinding System

The NFC Forum developed a global identifier to increase interoperability and improve the user experience of NFC connected applications and use cases. The Wayfinding Mark System demonstrates to consumers that an item includes NFC, and more importantly, guides the consumer where to tap. The system helps to simplify the way we connect with the things around us and enables users to unlock the full potential of connectivity.

The Directional variation of the Wayfinding Mark provides very clear guidance to users on the connecting point – where the antenna is placed. This can be placed on both NFC tags and NFC devices, such as smartphone, smart watch, smart ring, and is helpful to ensure users know the precise location of the NFC tapping point for an optimal connectivity experience.

The Simplified variation of the Wayfinding Mark can be used in everyday use cases where users have a high degree of familiarity, as it provides less specific wayfinding guidance.

The Charging variation provides users with confirmation of NFC Wireless Charging functionality and the location of the antenna.

The Instructional variations can be used in use cases with presumed low user awareness and knowledge of NFC, as they provide the most literal guidance of tapping from a mobile device or wearable to establish a connection.

Certified Product Mark

For users to be able to use their NFC-enabled devices to drive ultimate convenience in their daily lives, it’s critical to ensure that NFC technology works flawlessly, that there is consistency of behavior across NFC implementations and that there is a foundation of cross-market interoperability within the NFC ecosystem.

This is achievable through the NFC Forum Certification Program, which tests product conformance to the NFC Forum Specifications. The best insurance policy of success is through testing, which helps organizations deliver memorable user experiences and ensure products work as customers expected.

Products that have earned NFC Forum Certification can also use the Certification Mark, which clearly designates products as NFC Forum Certified, and ensures consumers can easily recognize and trust the quality and reliability of NFC-enabled products.

The Certification Mark is a distinct and recognizable symbol that can be used on NFC Forum Certified products. This helps consumers and companies quickly identify products that meet the NFC Forum's high standards.

A trusted ecosystem

To ensure that NFC technology can reach its full potential, security, reliability and interoperability are crucial. This is why NFC Forum is uniting stakeholders across the NFC ecosystem to create consensus-based technological standards, allowing consumers and businesses to optimize the NFC functionality of their connected device. Interested in getting your products certified? Visit our certification webpage for more information.

Using the NFC Forum Wayfinding Mark System and Certified Product Mark helps to create a seamless NFC experience, user familiarity and, vitally, ecosystem trust. To learn more about our marks and how they can be used, visit our dedicated Branding & Marks webpage.