The private sector, however well-intentioned, cannot clear all the roadblocks slowing the introduction of RFID. Examples include the need for a common European technical standard to ensure that RFID systems can work together, and the lack of a radio frequency allocation common to all EU Member States.

Suitable standards for RFID are crucial to its successful introduction. The Commission relies on standards proposed by the existing standardization bodies in Europe, such as CEPT and ETSI for frequency spectrum allocation and CEN and ISO for interoperability. It counts on self-regulation and industry-wide agreements to remove the remaining obstacles.