Connecting Specifications and Certification

NFC Forum Executive Director, Mike McCamon, reflects on the new Specification Release process, what led the Forum to develop it, and how it will help ensure interoperability and enfranchise innovation for the NFC community for years to come.

Recently, the NFC Forum Board approved a new Specification Release process, which is expected to accelerate momentum for new capabilities and functionalities for NFC-enabled products while simultaneously promoting the NFC Forum Compliance Program and elevating the value of NFC Forum membership. NFC Release 15 was launched on 17 June, garnering very positive community and press coverage, especially for its Extended Range and Digital Product Passport features.

As you might know, the NFC Forum has historically published Specification Releases generally every other year in the summertime. This was a convenient way for members to find the most current releases of our two dozen or so Specifications. In between releases, when new specifications were adopted they were posted as part of that semi-annual release.

Separately, the NFC Forum Compliance Committee diligently worked to ensure interoperability across an ever-growing list of use cases. The end product of that work, new Certification Releases, are made available to the public on an as-completed basis. So while new Technical Specification requirements are added over time to the Test Specifications, these two programs operated independently and on their own schedule.

One major downside of this design is that it fragmented our educational and promotional opportunities. It also didn’t allow us to fully highlight the value of our Compliance Program in ensuring interoperability across new capabilities in our Technical Specifications.

So, what have we changed?

Going forward, NFC Forum plans to more closely connect Specification Releases and Certification Releases. The general idea is that 4-6 months before we expect a new Certification Release, we intend to announce and publish a new "NFC Release." During that announcement-to-launch window, access to our Specifications will remain unchanged for Sponsor, Principal, Associate, and Non-Profit Members. Adopter Members and the public will not have access to any new materials until public launch, which will occur when the companion Certification Release is complete.

One of the biggest advantages of this new approach is that it will connect Technical Specification innovation to new capabilities of our Certification Program. Also, by aligning these two activities, we are hopeful that the wider technology industry will be able to more actively benefit from the value of our rigorous compliance program. And by offering Specifications early to many of our members, they will get a real time-to-market advantage over the general public.

Reflecting on the recent past, it seems that this new approach will enable us to provide the industry with a more connected story about our vision, capabilities, values, and expertise in delivering innovation and ensuring interoperability for the contactless lifestyle. I welcome your feedback on this and anything else related to the NFC Forum and our work. Together, we can build on a fantastic two decades of success towards an even brighter future.