FIME, which provides consulting and
market integration services for NFC
solutions, has achieved NFC Forum
Authorisation for its laboratories.
This allows FIME to conduct the
required tests that will confirm a
device’s compliance to the NFC Forum’s
technical specifications and attain
certification from the industry body.

In 2010 the NFC Forum, a global association which advances the use of NFC technology, launched a certification program to support industry interoperability and provide device behaviour assurances within the marketplace.

As an Authorised NFC Forum Laboratory, FIME can now work with device manufacturers to enable them to achieve industry certification for their products, which will allow them to use and display the N-Mark.

FIME’s ISO 17025 accredited laboratories in Asia and Europe have been approved by the NFC Forum to provide certification testing.

Pascal Le Ray, CEO at FIME, commented:
“It is an exciting time for the NFC
marketplace as we see more and more
contactless applications being
deployed. To guarantee the longevity
of this technology, however, we need
to ensure that certain standards are
established and maintained to create a
secure, workable and sustainable
infrastructure. Interoperability
between NFC devices is key and the NFC
Forum Certification Program gives
increased assurances that certified
products are compatible.”

The NFC Forum Certification Programme will advance as technical specifications evolve, with the next phase expected to be released in 2012. In addition to FIME becoming an Authorised Laboratory for current certification, it is actively contributing to the completion of the next phase by delivering technical writing services.

Le Ray added: “FIME has been an active participant in the development of contactless and NFC solutions and services for a number of years, working with the transport sector as well as leading payment schemes. FIME is accredited by MasterCard and Visa for performing NFC evaluations amongst other activities. We are delighted to now be able to offer official NFC device certification which we recognise is a significant step forward for the industry.”