RFID and NFC Standards Explained: ISO, EPC, and Air Interface Protocols

RFID and NFC technologies are widely used in access control, payments, asset tracking, logistics, and industrial automation. Behind every RFID card, tag, or label is a communication standard that defines how data is transmitted, secured, and interpreted across systems.

This page provides a practical overview of the most important RFID and NFC standards, explains how they relate to each other, and helps you understand which protocol is best suited for different applications. For deeper technical details, each section links to dedicated articles that explore individual standards in depth.

What Are RFID and NFC Standards?

RFID and NFC standards define how a reader and a tag or card communicate. These standards are developed by international organizations such as ISO and IEC, as well as industry bodies like EPCglobal.

A standard typically specifies:

• The physical characteristics of the card or tag
• The air interface and modulation method
• Data transmission protocols and anti-collision behavior
• Security mechanisms and command sets

Standards exist to ensure interoperability. A reader built to a specific standard should work reliably with compliant cards or tags, regardless of manufacturer.

RFID Frequency Bands and Their Role in Standards

RFID standards are closely tied to operating frequency. The most common frequency bands are:

• LF (Low Frequency)
• HF (High Frequency, including NFC)
• UHF (Ultra High Frequency)

Each frequency band offers different trade-offs in reading distance, data rate, resistance to interference, and suitability for specific environments. Understanding frequency is often the first step in selecting the right RFID standard.
For a detailed comparison of LF, HF, and UHF RFID, see: RFID Frequency Comparison: LF vs HF vs UHF

Core RFID and Smart Card Standards Overview

Below is a high-level overview of the most widely used RFID and smart card standards, grouped by their typical use cases.

ISO/IEC 7816: Contact Smart Card Standard

ISO/IEC 7816 defines contact-based smart cards, where the card must physically touch a reader through metallic contacts. This standard is commonly used in:

• Banking and payment cards
• SIM cards
• Secure identity and authentication systems

Although ISO/IEC 7816 is not contactless, it plays a foundational role in smart card technology and security models. Many contactless standards reuse concepts originally defined in ISO/IEC 7816.

Read the full breakdown here: ISO/IEC 7816 Smart Card Standard: Structure, Protocols, and Real-World Use

ISO/IEC 14443: Proximity Cards and NFC

ISO/IEC 14443 is the core standard behind NFC and proximity cards. It is designed for short-range communication, typically up to 10 cm.
Common applications include:

• Contactless payments
• Access control cards
• Mobile NFC interactions

The short reading distance is not a limitation but a design choice that improves user experience and security. ISO/IEC 14443 is divided into Type A and Type B, which differ in modulation and anti-collision behavior.
To understand how ISO/IEC 14443 compares with other HF standards, see: ISO/IEC 14443 vs ISO/IEC 15693: What’s the Difference?
For a deeper look at security implications, see: The 10 cm Firewall: ISO/IEC 14443 Security Analysis

ISO/IEC 15693: Vicinity RFID for Longer Range HF Applications

ISO/IEC 15693 is designed for vicinity cards and tags operating at HF frequency, with a typical reading range of up to 1 meter.
This standard is widely used in:

• Industrial asset tracking
• Library systems
• Manufacturing and logistics environments

Compared to NFC, ISO/IEC 15693 prioritizes range and robustness over speed and user interaction.
A detailed explanation is available here: ISO/IEC 15693 Protocol: The 1-Meter Advantage for Industrial Asset Tracking

ISO/IEC 18000 Series: RFID Air Interface Standards

ISO/IEC 18000 is not a single protocol but a family of standards covering different frequency bands and use cases. Each part of ISO/IEC 18000 defines the air interface for a specific RFID system.

Examples include:

• HF and UHF air interface definitions
• Region-specific and application-specific variations

Understanding the ISO/IEC 18000 series is essential for anyone working with industrial and supply chain RFID systems.
Learn more about the structure of this standard family here: ISO/IEC 18000 Series: RFID Air Interface Standards

EPC Gen2 and ISO/IEC 18000-63: UHF RFID for Supply Chain

EPC Gen2, formally standardized as ISO/IEC 18000-63, is the dominant protocol for UHF RFID systems. It is optimized for:

• High-speed reading of large tag populations
• Long reading distances
• Global supply chain and retail operations

EPC Gen2 enables item-level visibility and is a cornerstone of modern RFID-enabled logistics.For an in-depth technical and market analysis, see: Decoding EPC Gen2 v2: The Protocol for High-Speed Secure UHF RFID

How to Choose the Right RFID Standard

Choosing the right RFID standard depends on several factors:

• Required reading distance
• Security and authentication needs
• Environment and interference
• Industry regulations and ecosystem support

For example:

• Short-range, user-driven interactions often rely on ISO/IEC 14443
• Industrial tracking benefits from ISO/IEC 15693 or UHF EPC Gen2
• Secure identity systems may involve ISO/IEC 7816 concepts

A clear understanding of standards helps reduce deployment risks and ensures long-term interoperability.

RFID vs NFC: Understanding the Relationship

NFC is often used as a general term, but technically it refers to a subset of RFID technologies based on ISO/IEC 14443.

In simple terms:

• RFID is the broader category
• NFC is a specific, standardized form of HF RFID focused on short-range interaction

Recognizing this distinction helps avoid confusion when comparing products and solutions. Here is the article about RFID vs. NFC vs. Bluetooth

Related RFID Products and Applications

Many of the standards discussed above are implemented in everyday RFID products, including contactless cards, RFID industrial tags, and UHF tags. Understanding the underlying protocol makes it easier to select the right product for your application.

You can explore practical implementations in our RFID Contactless Cards, where different standards are applied across real-world use cases.