As a part of AIM celebrating World Standards Day, I sat down with Dr.  Clive Hohberger to learn more about the history of ISBT 128; which does a great job of encapsulating the importance of standards in our everyday lives. 

ISBT 128 is based on the Code 128 barcode standard, which is a high-density, alphanumeric barcode that can encode a wide range of characters. This barcode format is particularly well-suited for ISBT 128 because it can represent complex data in a compact form, making it ideal for labeling biological products.

Blood is a vital, life-saving resource used in emergency situations, international disaster relief, and wartime efforts. However, before 1994, there was no unified global standard for labeling blood products, which posed significant challenges for ensuring safety, traceability, and proper identification across borders.

In 1991, the International Society for Blood Transfusion (ISBT) took on the crucial task of developing a single, global, language-independent standard for blood labeling. The aim was to create a system where every blood product, regardless of origin, could be uniquely labeled and read anywhere in the world. Dr. Hohberger, a barcode expert and biomedical engineer, was a key member of this task force. As the Editor of version 1.0 of the ISBT 128 global blood labeling standard, he played an instrumental role in shaping this life-saving solution.

The task force selected Code 128, an already established international linear barcode standard, to carry the necessary blood data. This choice ensured that the ISBT 128 barcodes could encode all the relevant information in a language-independent format, making it universally accessible.

The ISBT 128 standard was officially approved in 1994 and quickly adopted by countries worldwide. Today, it is implemented in over 90 countries, transforming the safety and reliability of blood products on a global scale.

In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) formally recognized ISBT 128 as the global standard for the identification and traceability of all medical products of human origin. This includes cells, tissues, transplantable organs, breast milk, and corneas, further extending the reach and impact of ISBT 128 beyond blood products.

To gain deeper insights into the development and impact of the ISBT 128 standard, click the link below to watch Dr. Hohberger’s video. In this video, Dr. Hohberger shares his experience working on the task force and provides a real-world example of how global standards enable trustworthiness and safety in healthcare.

Click here to view Dr. Clive Hohberger’s video.

This video is part of AIM’s celebration of World Standards Day, showcasing the importance of standards in ensuring safety, reliability, and global interoperability.

As industries continue to innovate and adapt to new environmental regulations, improving the recyclability of RFID tags is becoming more crucial than ever. AIM’s whitepaper, Guidance for Improving RFID Tag Recycling and Disposal, offers valuable insights into the challenges and solutions the industry faces as it seeks to reduce the environmental impact of these ubiquitous tags.

Opportunities and Imperatives for RFID Recycling

Several RFID providers are stepping up their efforts to design more eco-friendly tags and implement recovery and recycling programs. Motivated by a combination of regulatory compliance, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals, and a desire to protect the planet, companies are increasingly taking responsibility for the lifecycle of their RFID products.

A key driver behind these initiatives is compliance with the European Union’s Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulation. This regulation requires manufacturers to meet stringent targets for product recovery and recycling. In addition to the WEEE, voluntary standards like ISO 14000 and ISO/IEC TR 24729-2:2008 guide companies on minimizing waste and improving recycling processes.

RFID Recycling Challenges

Despite these advancements, RFID tags present several unique challenges for recycling. Composed of various materials like semiconductors, antennas, substrates, adhesives, and sometimes batteries, RFID tags require complex deconstruction processes to recycle their components properly. The global recycling rates for e-waste are strikingly low—read more about those numbers in the full whitepaper.

Solutions in Action

Innovative solutions are beginning to address these challenges. Many RFID providers are now focusing on using sustainable materials and improving the recycling processes for RFID tags. For example, some companies have reported reducing their carbon footprint by as much as 90% by switching to plastic-free antennas and adopting advanced manufacturing techniques. These efforts are complemented by take-back programs aimed at preventing RFID tags from ending up in landfills.

AIM advocates for comprehensive Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for RFID products. LCAs help manufacturers quantify the environmental impacts of their products, from material extraction through disposal, and support better decision-making in product design.

Design for Deconstruction and Emerging Materials

One promising approach to addressing RFID’s recyclability challenges is Design for Deconstruction (DfD), a principle that can be applied to electronics to make recycling easier. By designing RFID tags to be disassembled without specialized tools, manufacturers can facilitate the recovery of valuable materials like semiconductors and antennas.

Sustainable materials are also playing a significant role. Paper, biodegradable substrates, and printable electronics are being used to create more environmentally friendly RFID tags. These innovations are reducing waste while improving the recyclability of RFID components.

Collaboration and Standards

To truly make a dent in RFID recycling, collaboration across the industry is essential. Manufacturers, recyclers, and waste management companies need to work together to create effective recovery and recycling processes. Forums such as AIM’s Visibility Technologies Industry Group, the WEEE Forum and the RAIN Alliance’s Sustainability Work group are working on educational materials and other tools to develop industry-wide collaboration that prioritize recyclability and eco-friendly materials.

Next Steps

RFID tags are here to stay, but their environmental footprint doesn’t have to be as large as it once was. With advancements in design, materials, and recycling processes, the industry is making strides toward a more sustainable future. AIM Global is at the forefront of these efforts, providing resources, insights, and advocacy to help companies navigate these challenges and opportunities.

For a deeper dive into the specifics of RFID tag recycling and disposal, download the full AIM whitepaper, Guidance for Improving RFID Tag Recycling and Disposal, and take the first step toward a more sustainable future.

This past Monday, AIM chapter leadership convened to discuss exciting developments across the industry, including digital labeling platforms, webinar successes, and strategies to enhance member engagement.

Peter Meng from AIM China kicked things off by presenting a groundbreaking prepackaged food digital label platform. Utilizing the GS1 Digital Link format, the platform has already been adopted by over 60 companies. Peter also highlighted upcoming training events in Beijing, demonstrating the growing momentum behind this initiative.

Sanjive Mehta from AIM India shared the impressive success of recent webinars, with 211 registrations for the second event and a surge in potential new members. Looking ahead, the next webinar, set for October 8th, will focus on patient safety. Sanjive emphasized the potential for barcodes to revolutionize patient care through centralized tracking systems, though noted that implementation in government hospitals remains limited.

Global initiatives were another key topic of discussion. Peter Altes and Frithjof Walk from AIM-D e.V. shared updates on EU-level cybersecurity regulations and the merger of RFID/EREG and NFC groups, which are addressing issues like frequency harmonization and the ETSI/EU Radio Equipment Directive (RED). They also celebrated the 30th anniversary of the chapter, marking a significant milestone in AIM’s journey.

In Russia, AIM is collaborating with GS1 Russia on a national traceability system. This project, which uses AIDC technologies like UHF RFID and DataMatrix codes, tracks a wide range of products, from food to non-perishables. AIM Russia’s role includes offering expert support, conducting consultations, and providing training for project users. The initiative is expanding to cover even more product categories.

Jeanne Duckett from AIM North America outlined several third-quarter initiatives, including webinars and comments on “Data and Technology in the New Era of Smarter Food Safety.” She also highlighted upcoming podcast series from the Cannabis and UDI work groups and AIM’s participation in major events like PACK EXPO and RFID Journal LIVE!

Chuck Evanhoe provided an overview of AIM Global’s industry groups and the important work they’re doing, all of which can be explored in greater detail through AIM’s resources. He also underscored the numerous benefits of AIM membership, ranging from educational opportunities—such as webinars and podcasts—to event discounts.

Speaking of events, the chapter meeting also touched on exciting upcoming events. Henrik Granau from AIM Denmark discussed the RFID & IoT in the Nordics event, scheduled for June 12, 2025, at the IT University in Copenhagen. Anna Lau from AIM Asia highlighted the AIM Asia Annual Meeting and AIDC Connect Asia 2024 exhibition, set for November 18-20 in Macau. These events will unite AIDC organizations, industry innovators, and academic experts specializing in automated data capture technologies.

The meeting concluded with updates on webinars, member engagement strategies, and social media outreach, presented by Bethany Deane and myself.

It’s clear that AIM is on the path to growth, and we’re excited to continue driving innovation across the industry. We look forward to our next meeting in December as we work together to expand opportunities for the AIDC community.

Stay tuned for more updates as we enter the autumn event season, and keep up with AIM’s mission to support the global AIDC community!

As technology continues to evolve, terms like Ambient IoT and RFID Gen 2 are becoming more prevalent in discussions about the future of interconnected systems and supply chain visibility. Both technologies are transforming industries and driving more efficient operations, but they do so in distinct yet sometimes overlapping ways. AIM is actively educating on and exploring the similarities and differences between Ambient IoT and RFID Gen 2, with the goal of shedding light on how each is uniquely positioned to enhance the capabilities of the Internet of Things (IoT).

What is Ambient IoT?

Ambient IoT refers to a network of interconnected devices and sensors that operate in the background to gather, process, and transmit data with minimal or no human intervention. These devices are designed to optimize systems, automate tasks, and enhance user experiences seamlessly. Ambient IoT relies on features such as ubiquity, context-awareness, and energy efficiency. For instance, it uses battery-free technology like Bluetooth tags that can harvest energy from the environment, making them ideal for long-term deployment with low maintenance needs. This enables devices to interact autonomously, communicate with cloud networks, and sometimes even with each other, pushing the boundaries of what is possible with traditional IoT frameworks.

Understanding RFID Gen 2: A Foundational Technology

RFID Gen 2, particularly RAIN RFID, has been a cornerstone of the Auto-ID industry, attaching unique identification to inanimate objects to connect them to the internet. Unlike Ambient IoT, which focuses on continuous data transmission in a broader context, RFID Gen 2 typically operates by transmitting data when it is within the range of a reader, powered by radio waves. This technology has proven its value for various applications, such as inventory management and asset tracking, where high-speed data capture and accuracy are paramount. One of the critical advantages of RFID Gen 2 is its well-established ecosystem, which includes standardization efforts like the GS1 GTIN, making it a trusted choice for many industries.

Bridging the Gap: Complimentary, Not Competing Technologies

While Ambient IoT and RFID Gen 2 differ in their operational focus, they are not necessarily competing technologies. In fact, they are more like different tools in an engineer’s toolkit. Ambient IoT builds upon the foundation laid by RFID Gen 2, using advancements in energy harvesting and low-cost tags to extend IoT’s reach. As both technologies continue to evolve, professionals in the field of Auto-ID will find that the knowledge and experience gained from RFID Gen 2 will be highly transferable to Ambient IoT. Understanding how to leverage each technology’s strengths—whether it be the low-cost, ubiquitous deployment of Ambient IoT or the high-accuracy, high-speed data capture of RFID Gen 2—will be essential in architecting future-proof solutions.

Learn More: Watch the AIM Webinars on Ambient IoT and RFID Gen 2

To dive deeper into these transformative technologies, AIM hosted two webinars focusing on Ambient IoT and RFID Gen 2. These webinars explored how these technologies are scaling, their future in the IoT landscape, and practical applications that can drive real-world impact. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from industry experts like Steve Statler of Wiliot, Jeanne Duckett of Avery Dennison and Scott Austin of Zugang Technology Connections and discover how industries are leveraging both Ambient IoT and RFID Gen 2 for smarter, more efficient operations.