KEY STEPS FOR RFID TAG VALIDATION
BY REBECCA OSTERMAN
To comply with the Walmart RFID mandate, your customers must have their RFID tags validated by the Auburn University RFID Lab prior to mass producing and labeling their products.
This process entails sending representative tags to the Auburn Lab, who will then test and approve the tags. The following overview can help you prepare and submit your tags. We also encourage you to refer to the Walmart Playbook and Auburn RFID Submission Guide.
A key requirement for validation is that information and RFID tags must be submitted directly by the Walmart product supplier. DLS’ RFID experts can help walk you and your customer through this process, but the actual submittal must be completed by the product supplier.
Walmart has published approved RFID inlays based on product category. Based on which category your customer’s product falls into, you can use this list to ensure that the labels you source for your customers use an approved inlay.
DLS can also help you identify the right labels, with the right inlay, and provide samples.
Group like items together to determine which RFID tags you will need to submit. Per the Walmart RFID playbook, not all UPCs from a supplier require individual validation. Instead, suppliers can choose one representative UPC (SKU) per submission.
For example, if a supplier has a line of 20 similar products, all produced by the same brand, with the same packaging type, same RFID tag and inlay, and same RFID tag location – all the items can be submitted together by using one representative sample.
Once you have grouped your items, you will use the Items Submissions Template (downloaded from the online submittal form) to provide a complete list of items that are represented by your selected UPC (don’t forget to include the selected UPC).
You will need five production sample printed/encoded RFID tags. The required printed information can vary based on other product labeling, but the tag will need to at a minimum contain the human-readable UPC, Item Description and EPC Logo.
Whether you are printing/encoding these labels yourself using an RFID printer such as those provided by TSC Printronix Auto ID, or utilizing our Service Bureau printing and encoding services, DLS can help either provide these sample labels or walk you through the process.
You will need to upload a minimum of six high-quality photos and one video of your representative item. These images and videos need to clearly show the entire product and its packaging in relation to the location of the RFID tag. You can refer to the Photo and Video Guidelines for details on required content and format.
Submitting RFID tags for validation requires both an online submission and mailing physical RFID tag samples to the Auburn RFID lab. It is important to first complete the online submittal and receive confirmation. Upon successful completion of your online submission, you will receive your submission number as well as next steps and important contact information.
Once you have received confirmation that your tags have been validated, you can then produce your RFID tags in bulk, and affix to product that will be shipped to Walmart.
As a distributor, understanding what your customers will need to comply with and receive validation for the Walmart RFID mandate is crucial for maintaining your business relationships and staying competitive. This guide has outlined the key steps to help your customer submit their RFID labels. While we cannot submit the labels for you or your customer, we can help walk you through the process. Our RFID printing and labeling experts can also help you with:
To make it easier for your customers to implement RFID labeling, we offer stock RFID labels in a variety of the most popular sizes.
Learn more about Stock RFID Labels
With DLS’ service bureau option, you can provide the properly formatted and printed labels your customers need – when they need them.
Learn more about Service Bureau Printing/Encoding
RFID printers from TSC Printronix Auto ID offer solutions for a wide range of applications from enterprise-level desktop printers to high-volume industrial printers.
Learn more about RFID printers
Our team of experts provides exceptional sales support through RFID label training, either online, or in person.
Request RFID Label Training