Overview
ISO 20911:2020 - Radio frequency identification (RFID) tyre tags - Tyre attachment classification - defines a clear classification and guidance for attaching RFID tags to tyres. The standard distinguishes three attachment technologies: embedded, patch, and sticker. It provides generic descriptions of each approach, guidance on marking, and practical considerations to help tyre manufacturers, installers and supply-chain stakeholders choose appropriate RFID tyre tag solutions.
Key topics and requirements
- Classification of attachment types
- Embedded: intended to remain for the life of the tyre (manufacturing, service, retreading, recycling). Placement is the tyre manufacturer’s responsibility.
- Patch: applied from the patch installation date until tyre end-of-life; used for retrofitting, repair/retread, logistics and traceability.
- Sticker: temporary application after manufacture or retreading and before mounting; used primarily for logistics and dealer information.
- Design and placement considerations
- Positioning and orientation affect radio performance; designers/installers must consider dielectric and conductive properties of surrounding materials, possible detuning, attenuation/shielding, induced currents and mechanical stresses.
- Patch and sticker positioning is limited to external composite surfaces (inner liner, sidewall).
- Marking recommendation
- Use the RFID symbol ISO 7000‑3010 or clearly mark “RFID” on the tyre or sticker to indicate presence of an RFID tag.
- Scope limitations
- ISO 20911:2020 excludes tyre quality testing, detailed embedded locations, rubber compound properties and detailed manufacturing-process instructions.
- Conformance
- Design and placement should support conformance testing referenced in related standards (e.g., ISO 20912).
Applications
- Improve tyre traceability and lifecycle management across manufacturing, distribution, retail and recycling.
- Enable logistics, inventory control, product information at tyre dealers and retrofitting of RFID capability to existing casings.
- Support retreading workflows and RFID tag replacement strategies when embedded tags are damaged or non-functional.
Who should use this standard
- Tyre manufacturers (for embedded tag policies and marking)
- Retreaders, tyre installers and repair shops (patch and sticker application best practices)
- Fleet operators, tyre dealers and logistics providers (traceability and inventory systems)
- RFID solution providers and integrators working on tyre identification
Related standards
- ISO 20909 - Radio frequency identification (RFID) tyre tags
- ISO 20912 - Conformance test methods for RFID-enabled tyres
- ISO/IEC 29160 - RFID for item management (RFID emblem guidance)
- ISO 7000 - Graphical symbols for equipment (ISO 7000‑3010 RFID symbol)
Keywords: ISO 20911:2020, RFID tyre tags, tyre attachment classification, embedded RFID, RFID patch, RFID sticker, tyre traceability, RFID-enabled tyre.
