ISO 20911:2020

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.