EPC

EPC

The Electronic Product Code (EPC) is a universal identification scheme designed to uniquely identify every physical object in the supply chain. Managed by GS1 through its EPCglobal subsidiary, the EPC extends the familiar barcode GTIN by adding a serial number, enabling individual item-level tracking rather than just product-class identification.

EPC Structure

A standard 96-bit EPC contains four fields:

The most common encoding is SGTIN (Serialized Global Trade Item Number), which pairs a GTIN with a unique serial. Other schemes include SSCC for logistics units, GRAI for returnable assets, and GIAI for individual assets.

Memory Location

The EPC is stored in EPC Memory (Bank 1) of the RFID tag. This 96- or 128-bit field is writable, meaning it can be programmed during commissioning at any point in the supply chain. The TID Memory (Bank 2) holds a separate, factory-programmed chip identifier that serves as an anti-counterfeiting anchor.

EPC in the Ecosystem

When a reader captures an EPC, it can be resolved through the ONS (Object Name Service) to locate product information, or shared across trading partners via EPCIS events. The Tag Data Translation specification defines how EPCs convert between binary on-tag encoding, URI notation, and human-readable formats.

Why EPC Matters

EPCs enable true item-level visibility. Instead of knowing "this shelf has 12 units of SKU X," retailers know exactly which 12 units are present, when each arrived, and where each has been. This precision powers omnichannel fulfilment, anti-counterfeiting, and regulatory compliance.

See also: EPC Formats | SGTIN | EPCIS