GS1’s Updated RFID Standard Brings Supply

GS1 has released a new version of its RFID Tag Data Standard (TDS 2.3) that makes it easier for RFID tags used in supply chains to link directly to authoritative digital information. Previously, most tags only carried an identifier that systems had to reconcile before data could be accessed. With the new update, RFID tags can include a web-resolvable domain name and identifier, so scanning a tag can immediately point to a URL with live details about a specific item, pallet, case, or logistics unit.  

Technically, TDS 2.3 adds new ways to encode Electronic Product Codes (EPCs) that embed domain details right on the tag. This means systems don’t need custom look-up tables or fragile integrations to find the right source of truth — the RFID readout can take you straight to a live data endpoint hosted on a cloud service, enterprise platform, supplier system, or other web resource.  

In practice, this change improves visibility and data sharing across multi-party supply chains by removing ambiguity over where information lives. Logistics units like pallets or containers can essentially “call home,” so partners can fetch real-time data without extensive middleware. That clarity speeds up exception handling, handoffs between systems such as TMS, WMS, and ERP, and helps companies make better use of RFID data they already collect.  

The enhanced standard also makes it easier to trace goods in cases of theft or loss, because serialized RFID tags can resolve directly to a trusted source that shows origin and ownership. Though not a cure for cargo theft, it lowers the cost and complexity of recovery and helps with transparency.  

By enabling tags to link directly to web data without requiring new hardware, TDS 2.3 also helps smaller firms adopt advanced tracking capabilities without costly system overhauls. It essentially bridges the physical and digital worlds in supply chain tracking, making RFID data web-native and more actionable for a range of industries.