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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Product Certification FAQ

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Q.  What is the purpose of certifying our product?
All retailers require certification of all Source Tagged products to ensure optimal deactivation performance so there are no unnecessary alarms at the door.
Q.  Why should we use TAG Company’s Certification Centre?
TAG Company is a true alternative source of AM and RF labels. It has state-of-the-art testing equipment from most major manufacturers of AM and RF technology in the Certification Centres; this ensures that consistent performance of all the EAS labels applied to products and/or packaging. You can now send all of your products, no matter which technology, to one location for certification.
Q.  Do we have to certify both technologies or can we choose just one?
You might choose to Source Tag only for specific retailers. The retailers for whom you tag will stipulate which technologies to certify. It is TAG’s recommendation that if you are uncertain you should obtain certification for both RF and AM technologies. The two technologies are not interchangeable.
Q.  Is there a charge for certification?
There is no charge for certification as long as you are purchasing at least one of the two technology labels from TAG.
Q.  Do I have to certify all products?
Retailers require that all products be certified, however, there are a few exceptions; if your product(s) packaging is identical and has similar product positioning/placement within the packaging, it is not necessary to have all SKUs certified, only those that are different. For example; cosmetics that have different colors/SKU but have the same packaging would only need to certify one SKU.
Q.  What happens to the certification if I change my packaging?
As long as the product is basically the same and the packaging does not differ significantly there is no need to submit this product for re-certification. If the package change only includes new graphics there is no need to re-submit the product for certification; however, if the location of the barcode changes, re-certification of the product is required.
Q.  How will the retailer know that I have certified my products?
A database is maintained by TAG Certification Centres on all certified products. This information is available to all Source Tagging retailers and manufacturers and is password protected restricting access to only the information that relates to a particular retailer or manufacturer.
Q.  What happens if I have certified products in the past with another company’s labs?
      Do I have to go to both website databases to research certifications?
Yes, currently both websites will need to be accessed. TAG Company is working with Source Tagging retailers to get a consensus that a worldwide database is necessary as we move forward with multiple suppliers. This is accomplished by both providers downloading their data into one database that is password protected and is only accessible to retailers and manufacturers. All certifications would be documented on this site.
Q.  What is considered a passable certification standard?
The retail community using AM labels considers an overall performance of deactivation and detection of 90% (or better) acceptable. This performance ratio will vary with RF labels as they are affected by more properties than the AM label. In most cases, an 80% performance rating is acceptable.
Q.  What parameters could cause the product to fail certification?
Both AM and RF labels are affected by metal content in packaging and products. Many products contain magnetic fields, such as batteries, which either changes the frequency of the label or completely shields the label from detection. Packaging limitations might also cause the product to fail if there is no suitable location for label placement that allows the label to perform to specifications or if the packaging material contains metallic properties.
Q.  Why is it necessary for the label to be within 7.6 cm (3 in) of the barcode?
The label placement of 7.6 cm (3 in) from the barcode is within the acceptable range for deactivation of the label. The standard for both technologies, as set forth by VICS, does not distinguish between the technologies for recommended tagging standards. TAG Certification Centres only approve a product certification that falls outside the 7.6 cm (3 in) standard with the retailer’s written permission.
Q.  Why is it necessary to change my packaging from three barcode locations to one?
Retail cashiers know that the EAS label is placed within 7.6 cm (3 in) of the barcode. In cases where there are multiple barcodes the cashier would not know which barcode to scan to deactivate the label. This causes failures to deactivate and unnecessary alarms at the door.
Q.  If a certified VAR (value-added reseller) solution is chosen to protect my product, do I still need to
      have the product certified?
Yes, certification of the product after application of a VAR solution is always recommended. The packaging or the product itself can affect the performance of the converted product.
Q.  Is there a difference between your Certification Centre, a UPP lab, Innovation Center and an
      Evaluation Center?
All Source Tagging labs must meet specific retail standards and certify most products in accordance with the VICS recommended standards. “Certification Centre” is the name used by TAG Company; “UPP Lab”, “Universal Product Protection Lab”, “Innovation Center” and “Source Tagging Lab” are terms used by Sensormatic; the “Evaluation Center” is Checkpoint’s name for their certification process.
Q.  Will my product be damaged during the certification process?
In most cases the product itself is not damaged. In Phase III certifications, the product might be disassembled depending on the accessibility to the inside of the product. It is likely that damage to the packaging will occur in the process of placing the label in the appropriate location.
Q.  When will my product(s) be returned to me?
The product is returned within one business day of completion of the certification if requested upon submittal. A standard turnaround time for certification is 10 business days. TAG strives to accommodate requests when a quick turn around is necessary depending upon the workload.
Q.  What is actually tested during the certification process?
All products are tested for the optimal label location and for possible interference from the packaging or product itself after label application. All certifications assure that label placement is within retail standards and complies with the industry requirements.
Q.  How do I start the process for product certification?
  • Determine the list of products for submission
  • Determine whether the manufacturer, packaging company or OEM will apply the labels
  • Know if your product has magnetic properties, film, or batteries in its content; if so, submit 3 samples of that product
  • Complete a product submission form; not doing so will delay the certification process. This may be done electronically (online) or as a handwritten document (and faxed), but either method does require a signature by the person submitting the product
  • Print a copy of the product submission form to send with the product
  • Email a copy to the appropriate Certification Centre (see next page)
  • If sending a pallet of product, please notify the Certification Centre prior to shipment
  • If you have special requests or instructions, it is recommended you contact the lab prior to shipment to discuss those requirements

 

  
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Product Certification FAQ

Q.  What is the purpose of certifying our product?

All retailers require certification of all Source Tagged products to ensure optimal deactivation performance so there are no unnecessary alarms at the door.

Q.  Why should we use TAG Company’s Certification Centre?

TAG Company is a true alternative source of AM and RF labels. It has state-of-the-art testing equipment from most major manufacturers of AM and RF technology in the Certification Centres; this ensures that consistent performance of all the EAS labels applied to products and/or packaging. You can now send all of your products, no matter which technology, to one location for certification.

Q.  Do we have to certify both technologies or can we choose just one?

You might choose to Source Tag only for specific retailers. The retailers for whom you tag will stipulate which technologies to certify. It is TAG’s recommendation that if you are uncertain you should obtain certification for both RF and AM technologies. The two technologies are not interchangeable.

Q.  Is there a charge for certification?

There is no charge for certification as long as you are purchasing at least one of the two technology labels from TAG.

Q.  Do I have to certify all products?

Retailers require that all products be certified, however, there are a few exceptions; if your product(s) packaging is identical and has similar product positioning/placement within the packaging, it is not necessary to have all SKUs certified, only those that are different. For example; cosmetics that have different colors/SKU but have the same packaging would only need to certify one SKU.

Q.  What happens to the certification if I change my packaging?

As long as the product is basically the same and the packaging does not differ significantly there is no need to submit this product for re-certification. If the package change only includes new graphics there is no need to re-submit the product for certification; however, if the location of the barcode changes, re-certification of the product is required.

Q.  How will the retailer know that I have certified my products?

A database is maintained by TAG Certification Centres on all certified products. This information is available to all Source Tagging retailers and manufacturers and is password protected restricting access to only the information that relates to a particular retailer or manufacturer.

Q.  What happens if I have certified products in the past with another company’s labs?
      Do I have to go to both website databases to research certifications?

Yes, currently both websites will need to be accessed. TAG Company is working with Source Tagging retailers to get a consensus that a worldwide database is necessary as we move forward with multiple suppliers. This is accomplished by both providers downloading their data into one database that is password protected and is only accessible to retailers and manufacturers. All certifications would be documented on this site.

Q.  What is considered a passable certification standard?

The retail community using AM labels considers an overall performance of deactivation and detection of 90% (or better) acceptable. This performance ratio will vary with RF labels as they are affected by more properties than the AM label. In most cases, an 80% performance rating is acceptable.

Q.  What parameters could cause the product to fail certification?

Both AM and RF labels are affected by metal content in packaging and products. Many products contain magnetic fields, such as batteries, which either changes the frequency of the label or completely shields the label from detection. Packaging limitations might also cause the product to fail if there is no suitable location for label placement that allows the label to perform to specifications or if the packaging material contains metallic properties.

Q.  Why is it necessary for the label to be within 7.6 cm (3 in) of the barcode?

The label placement of 7.6 cm (3 in) from the barcode is within the acceptable range for deactivation of the label. The standard for both technologies, as set forth by VICS, does not distinguish between the technologies for recommended tagging standards. TAG Certification Centres only approve a product certification that falls outside the 7.6 cm (3 in) standard with the retailer’s written permission.

Q.  Why is it necessary to change my packaging from three barcode locations to one?

Retail cashiers know that the EAS label is placed within 7.6 cm (3 in) of the barcode. In cases where there are multiple barcodes the cashier would not know which barcode to scan to deactivate the label. This causes failures to deactivate and unnecessary alarms at the door.

Q.  If a certified VAR (value-added reseller) solution is chosen to protect my product, do I still need to
      have the product certified?

Yes, certification of the product after application of a VAR solution is always recommended. The packaging or the product itself can affect the performance of the converted product.

Q.  Is there a difference between your Certification Centre, a UPP lab, Innovation Center and an
      Evaluation Center?

All Source Tagging labs must meet specific retail standards and certify most products in accordance with the VICS recommended standards. “Certification Centre” is the name used by TAG Company; “UPP Lab”, “Universal Product Protection Lab”, “Innovation Center” and “Source Tagging Lab” are terms used by Sensormatic; the “Evaluation Center” is Checkpoint’s name for their certification process.

Q.  Will my product be damaged during the certification process?

In most cases the product itself is not damaged. In Phase III certifications, the product might be disassembled depending on the accessibility to the inside of the product. It is likely that damage to the packaging will occur in the process of placing the label in the appropriate location.

Q.  When will my product(s) be returned to me?

The product is returned within one business day of completion of the certification if requested upon submittal. A standard turnaround time for certification is 10 business days. TAG strives to accommodate requests when a quick turn around is necessary depending upon the workload.

Q.  What is actually tested during the certification process?

All products are tested for the optimal label location and for possible interference from the packaging or product itself after label application. All certifications assure that label placement is within retail standards and complies with the industry requirements.

Q.  How do I start the process for product certification?