HANA RFID Explains Why ARC-Certified Inlays Matter at Scale
HANA RFID is one of the manufacturers holding ARC Quality Certification for passive UHF RFID inlays. The Auburn University RFID Lab certification confirms both the performance of individual inlays and the manufacturer’s ability to reproduce that quality consistently at high volumes.
Two Levels of ARC Certification
The ARC program has been administered by the Auburn University RFID Lab since 2009. It provides a common framework for evaluating passive UHF RFID inlays across international supply chains.
ARC performance certification applies to individual inlay models. It verifies whether a specific antenna and IC combination meets defined sensitivity and read-range requirements for a particular application.
ARC Quality Certification evaluates the manufacturer. It examines whether certified inlays can be produced consistently over time and across large production volumes.
This distinction is important for large RFID programs. An inlay may perform well in laboratory testing, while variations in materials, bonding, manufacturing or process control can still affect later production batches.
HANA RFID as an ARC Quality Certified Manufacturer
HANA Technologies holds ARC Quality Certification from the Auburn University RFID Lab and is also a board member of the lab. According to the company, HANA RFID is one of six manufacturers worldwide holding this qualification.
Within individual ARC Specs, HANA RFID offers several approved inlay designs with IC options from Impinj and NXP. This allows converters, system integrators and brand owners to compare different antenna and chip combinations without changing inlay suppliers.
The portfolio addresses passive UHF RFID applications in retail, logistics, manufacturing and other environments where stable performance across high volumes is required.
ARC Specs Turn Applications into Measurable Criteria
Each ARC Spec represents a defined deployment scenario. Retailers, brands and operators work with the Auburn University RFID Lab to set requirements based on product type, packaging, operating environment and reader infrastructure.
Inlays are tested against these criteria. Approved models are entered into the ARC database and published on the approved inlay list.
One inlay may qualify for several Specs. This allows a single design to be used across different product categories, retail programs or deployment environments, provided it meets the respective thresholds.
Why ARC Matters for Retail and Supply Chains
ARC-approved inlays are a central requirement in several major retail RFID programs. Companies including Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Lowe’s and Macy’s require approved inlays for specified merchandise categories.
Non-compliant or unsuitable tags can lead to failed acceptance tests, relabeling, rework or delays within RFID-enabled supply chains. The impact is particularly significant where receiving, inventory, replenishment and stock counting rely on automated item-level identification.
The ARC framework creates a shared technical basis for retailers, suppliers, converters, inlay manufacturers and system integrators. It makes performance and manufacturing-quality requirements easier to compare and verify.
What ARC Quality Certification Evaluates
ARC Quality Certification assesses the manufacturer’s internal quality management system, production capability and process controls. The multi-stage review covers design, manufacturing, quality assurance and on-site audits.
The objective is to confirm that the required expertise, equipment and control mechanisms are in place to maintain certified inlay performance at scale.
For procurement teams and solution providers, this independent assessment can simplify supplier qualification. It does not replace application-specific testing, but it provides documented evidence of repeatable manufacturing quality.
Relevance Beyond US Retail Mandates
ARC adoption has been driven mainly by US retail programs, but the underlying quality framework is also relevant for international RFID projects.
In logistics, manufacturing, food traceability, aviation and other high-volume applications, system reliability depends not only on readers and software. Consistent inlay quality is equally important.
For system integrators, ARC-approved inlays provide a qualified starting point for application testing and product selection. The final choice must still account for material, packaging, tag orientation, reader configuration and operating environment.
Ready to Put HANA’s ARC-Certified Inlays to the Test?
Planning an RFID deployment that requires verified performance, consistent manufacturing quality and reliable scalability? Contact HANA RFID to discuss the right ARC-approved inlay, IC option and antenna design for your application, and order samples for evaluation.
Learn more about ARC Quality Certification and HANA RFID’s credentials at:
https://hanarfid.com/what-is-arc-certified-rfid-inlay/