Tech · 1 July 2026 · 4 min
NFC tags in PPE: an antenna, a chip and a code that never changes
NFC tag
An NFC tag is made of an antenna, a chip and two memories, and works without a battery.
Exteryo Report Editorial
Antenna, chip and dual memory: anatomy of an NFC tag and how the UID guarantees the unique identification of each PPE.
The short answer
An NFC tag transforms a piece of PPE into digital PPE with three elements:
- Antennaan antenna that receives and transmits the signal
- Chipa chip soldered to the end of the antenna
- Memorya dual memory
The short answer
The tag is passive: it only activates when a reader, such as a smartphone, approaches it.
Why it is not simple
An adhesive with a chip seems too fragile an object to be on a helmet or a harness.
Far from it.
Why it is not simple
However, the tag has no batteries to change or parts to maintain, and Exteryo tags are designed for the type of PPE they go on: impact-resistant, flexible, suitable for metal or extreme environments.
Chapter 1 of 4
How is an NFC tag made?
Anatomy
An NFC tag is a miniaturised electronic circuit made of three parts: an antenna, a chip and a dual memory.
Before moving on
What frequency do you think an NFC tag works at?
Anatomy
It works at the standardised frequency of 13.56 MHz.
Anatomy
The antenna is a conductive circuit that receives and transmits signals.
1 of 3
An antenna
2 of 3
A chip
3 of 3
A dual memory
Dual memory
A non-modifiable flash memory contains the UID, the unique and permanent code; a rewritable EEPROM memory can contain customised and updatable data.
Anatomy
It is this combination that makes NFC tags suitable for PPE traceability.
Chapter 2 of 4
Why is a battery-free tag suitable for PPE?
Passive tag
NFC tags are passive: they have no batteries or power supply of their own and only activate when brought close to a reader.
Passive tag
The energy is provided by the reader, for example a smartphone, via electromagnetic induction. When not in use, the tags emit no radiation.
Passive tag
For this reason, they do not interfere with the protective functions of the PPE and require no maintenance.
Note
The lifespan is indicated as practically unlimited: without a battery, there is nothing to run out.
Chapter 3 of 4
How do you put a tag on a helmet, fabric or metal support?
Four families
Beyond the limits of traditional NFC adhesives, Exteryo has developed specific tags for different types of PPE.
Four families
The solutions are of four types:
- ImpactsImpact-resistant tags for helmets and fall arrest devices
- FabricsFlexible tags for clothing and fabrics
- MetalSpecific tags for metal supports, which would normally interfere with the signal
- Extreme environmentsSolutions for extreme environments: high temperatures, humidity, chemical agents
Four families
This variety makes it possible to digitise practically any type of protective equipment, from safety footwear to the most complex fall arrest systems.
Note
Exteryo indicates these solutions as patented.
Chapter 4 of 4
What happens when the app reads the tag?
The reading
The Exteryo Safety 4.0 app reads the tag's UID and automatically identifies the device.
The UID
The UID is in the tag's non-modifiable memory: it is unique and cannot be altered. For Exteryo, this is what makes the PPE impossible to clone or duplicate and traceable throughout its entire life cycle.
The reading
Upon reading, the app immediately shows four pieces of information:
- RecordThe complete PPE data sheet
- HistoryThe inspection history
- TechnicalThe technical information
- DeadlinesDeadlines and compliance status
The source
According to the Exteryo Safety guide to NFC technology in PPE, the resulting inspection process reduces time by 40% and errors by 50%.
The Exteryo Safety guide to NFC technology in PPE (archive copy) ↗
Note
These are values declared by Exteryo for its own platform, not an independent measurement.
In one sentence
Digital PPE is born from a code that never changes, written where no one can rewrite it.
Exteryo Report
Takeaways
Five questions before choosing an NFC tag for PPE. For those who need to digitise a PPE fleet.
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Sources
Images and animations: illustrative objects generated with artificial intelligence. They do not depict real objects or documents mentioned in the article.
ExteryoExteryo Report · 1 July 2026