ARC TAG
Understanding the ARC RFID certification
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What is RFID Mandate?
Walmart's mandate to use RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is an initiative that the company has implemented to improve efficiency in its supply chain and optimize inventory management. This mandate requires certain Walmart suppliers to label their products with RFID tags.

Which products should be RFID tagged?
In a first phase, if you supply electronics, household products, sporting goods, toys, or car batteries, you will need to include RFID tags on all products shipped to Walmart stores, including those in the United States, Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and recently in Mexico. This new RFID mandate applies to all national supplier and private brands.
Product Category
How ZRAYE RFID can help you with the fulfillment of this requirement:
ZRAYE RFID will help you through every step of Walmart's RFID compliance process, including obtaining approval from Auburn University's lab. Once approved, we will assist with the design, printing, and coding of the Electronic Product Code (EPC) numbers necessary for compliance. We provide comprehensive support to ensure your labels meet all requirements (GS1 SGTIN 96) and in short lead times. Our services may include, if desired, printing and encoding your RFID tags, or we can provide training for your team to handle these tasks independently, providing you with the equipment (RFID printer) and access to our powerful printing software.

Steps:
1.Contact us to outline the scope of your project. Our team will help you identify the best RFID tag solutions for your needs based on the type of product you supply to Walmart.

2.Get samples of integrated RFID tags. These samples are crucial to the approval process and will be evaluated by Auburn.te's RFID lab? Simply put, it's a wireless data transfer method called NFC (near-field communication) that detects and then allows technology in the vicinity to communicate without the need for an internet connection. It's easy, fast, and works automatically.
If you're among Walmart's thousands of suppliers under the new RFID mandate, ZRAYE RFID can guide you through the entire fulfillment process. We offer practical solutions for inventory control and product tracking, providing real-time data on product movement and transactions. As RFID specialists, we simplify compliance with product tracking requirements and the latest labeling standards, including RFID tags for Walmart.
Go beyond Walmart:
Walmart's RFID mandate represents a significant shift in retail inventory management. Compliance is not only a requirement for doing business with Walmart, but also a strategic measure to improve competitiveness. ZRAYE RFID is dedicated to guiding you through this transition with expert advice, technical support, and customized solutions to meet Walmart's RFID standards. Together, we can reach new levels of accuracy and efficiency in your inventory.
In the fast-paced world of retail, ensuring RFID tags work seamlessly across diverse products and environments is critical. This is where the ARC RFID program at Auburn University’s RFID Lab steps in. More than just a standard-setting initiative, the ARC certification guarantees superior tag performance and quality.When Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, mandated RFID tagging across its supply chain, it chose to partner with ARC. This decision highlighted ARC’s pivotal role in shaping RFID standards and cemented its reputation as the gold standard for RFID certification. In this article, we explore why the ARC certification is indispensable for retailers, manufacturers, and the RFID industry as a whole.
Walmart: A pioneer in the adoption of RFID technology in the retail sector
Walmart's global operations span 10,000+ stores in 24 countries. With a supply chain involving thousands of suppliers, the company's shift to RAIN RFID tagging in 2020 was monumental. Beginning with apparel, Walmart expanded its RFID initiative to new product categories in 2022 and again in 2023 Even with this phased approach, thousands of Walmart suppliers across the world were mandated to RFID tag their products and that those RFID tags had to perform consistently across a vast range of materials and conditions.
From jeans to socks, products differ in how they’re displayed and handled. Tags must be read reliably, whether using handheld devices or fixed readers in warehouses and stores.
The solution? Walmart mandated the use of ARC-certified tags to ensure:
Consistent readability across materials.
Accurate inventory tracking.
Compliance with stringent quality standards.
By relying on ARC-certified tags, Walmart safeguarded the efficiency of its operations while enhancing the customer experience.
What does the ARC RFID certification mean?
The ARC certification signifies excellence in RFID tag performance and quality. The program’s mission is clear:
“To ensure RFID tags meet or exceed the levels of performance and quality necessary to provide benefit to the End user in a consistent and cost-effective manner.”
This mission positions ARC certification as a symbol of reliability for retailers and manufacturers alike.

Tag performance: the foundation of ARC certification

The house analogy: ARC as the architect

Imagine building a house. You may know what you want it to look like but turning that vision into reality requires an architect to create detailed plans. These plans guide the builders, ensuring the house meets your expectations.

Similarly, ARC acts as the “architect” of RFID tag specifications. It sets functional requirements—like the number of rooms in a house or the presence of a kitchen—without dictating the exact design. Manufacturers, like builders, translate these functional plans into physical RAIN RFID tags that comply with ARC’s standards.

Unlike a house plan, however, ARC specifications focus on functionality rather than exact dimensions or appearance. The specs define performance goals, such as reliable readability on specific materials, leaving room for manufacturers to innovate.

The role of ARC specifications

At the heart of the ARC certification are its specifications (or “specs”). These functional guidelines define the minimum performance requirements for RAIN RFID tags under different conditions.

Each spec is tailored to a specific product category. For example, books use ARC Spec O, while apparel often aligns with Specs Y or Y2. The specs ensure tags perform reliably, whether on fabric, paper, or plastic. 

Why ARC speeds innovation

ARC specifications don’t limit manufacturers to a fixed design. Instead, they define what the tag must achieve (e.g., readability on certain materials) but do not impose dimensions, shape or even the type of IC (chip) used. This flexibility allows manufacturers like Paragon ID to innovate and create antennas and ultimately tags that not only meet but often exceed ARC’s requirements.

Smaller, more efficient RFID inlays are a prime example. Over time, advancements in antenna design and IC sensitivity have led to smaller ARC-compliant inlays. These inlays are:

Less intrusive: They blend seamlessly into product designs.

Eco-friendly: Smaller inlays reduce material usage and shipping weight.

Cost-effective: They lower production and logistics costs.

An ongoing process of improvement

The ARC program continuously evolves. New specs are added for emerging product categories, while existing specs are updated to reflect technological advancements. This commitment to innovation keeps the certification relevant and valuable.

Quality Assurance: Why ARC certification is trusted
Rigorous testing for approval
Every new inlay design must pass exhaustive testing to earn ARC certification. This includes submitting thousands of samples produced under real-world manufacturing conditions. Only RFID tags that meet ARC’s stringent performance criteria are approved.
Why ARC certification matters to the RFID industry

For retailers
Retailers like Walmart, Decathlon, Zara and many others benefit from:
Reliability: ARC-certified RAIN RFID tags work consistently across global supply chains.
Efficiency: Improved inventory accuracy leads to better stock management and customer satisfaction.
Sustainability: Smaller, ARC-compliant inlays reduce environmental impact.
For manufacturers
For RFID manufacturers, ARC certification is a mark of distinction. It assures clients that their RAIN RFID tags meet the highest standards of performance and quality, creating a competitive edge in a crowded market