NXP Reveals NFC Tags to Meet EU’s Upcoming Digital Passport Requirements
The NFC tag can provide secure memory, advanced connectivity, and robust authentication—all while meeting the EU's digital passport rules.
The countdown is on for manufacturers in the EU to acquire digital product passports (DPPs), mandatory by 2027. DPPs will require every product to carry a transparent, accessible record of its origin, composition, and lifecycle. With counterfeit goods still flooding markets and consumer trust increasingly tied to product transparency, industry players face mounting pressure to bridge the digital-physical information gap quickly and securely.
NXP Semiconductors has recently released its new type 4 NFC tag that can work with any mobile device.
NXP Semiconductors’ new NTAG X DNA aims to do just that. This next-generation NFC tag is equipped with 16 KB of high-density memory and a dual interface that supports both I2C and NFC communication. NXP designed the NTAG X DNA to quickly and securely authenticate and exchange detailed product data.
Why It Matters for Digital Product Passports
The upcoming DPP rules are set to change the way manufacturers handle product information, from where it’s made to how it’s recycled. It's not just a fancy label; it’s a full history log that travels with the product. That kind of traceability requires more than a barcode and a database.
NFC-enabled tags like the NTAG X DNA help verify product authenticity and store critical lifecycle data, supporting EU Digital Product Passport compliance by 2027.
NXP’s NTAG X DNA tag (datasheet linked) can store important details such as the product’s origin, materials, and service history in a secure, digital format that’s accessible on mobile devices. Even if the device itself is powered down or offline, the tag keeps that information intact and protected. Unlike older tags that could be easily cloned or tampered with, the NTAG X DNA uses encrypted communication and built-in authentication to ensure that the data provided hasn’t been changed.
Smarter Connections Through Flexible Interfaces
The NTAG X DNA will carry a dual-interface communication that supports both ISO/IEC 14443 NFC and I²C. This gives designers flexibility in how devices interact with the tag, whether wirelessly through an NFC-enabled smartphone or directly through a wired microcontroller connection. That versatility makes it a strong fit for applications where secure data exchange is needed across both field diagnostics and embedded systems.
General block diagram of the NTAG X DNA.
The high throughput, up to 848 kbps over NFC, means fast read/write cycles with minimal latency, which is crucial for responsive user interactions and time-sensitive operations. Engineers don’t need to worry about switching contexts either, since the NTAG X DNA allows dynamic interface switching without a system reboot, streamlining integration into more complex hardware environments.
Additionally, the integrated GPIOs offer options for signaling or basic power delivery, opening the door to battery-free implementations or minimalistic embedded designs where every microamp matters. NXP says its tag is both flexible and performant enough to pair with either an MCU or support a connected edge device.
Security Built From the Silicon Up
Under the hood, NTAG X DNA packs enterprise-grade security protocols. The chip features Common Criteria EAL 6+ certification and support for asymmetric cryptography like ECDSA and ECDH. Its embedded ECC key pairs are generated directly on the IC, ensuring private keys never leave the silicon. That’s huge for sectors like healthcare or smart factories, where a secure, tamper-proof identity is necessary to maintain contracts and meet customer requirements.
NXP also bundles its EdgeLock 2GO platform, securely provisioning certificates at scale, whether during manufacturing or post-deployment. This setup supports PKI-based mutual authentication, which enables robust device-to-device and device-to-cloud communication. It also provides cryptographic support for protocols like TLS 1.3 and Matter, future-proofing it for evolving IoT security standards.
Rising consumer expectations, regulatory pressure, and the fight against counterfeiting have put authentication and transparency at the center of product development. NXP’s NTAG X DNA tag provides a robust, secure, and adaptable way to meet these demands, while keeping the user experience intuitive and fast.
All images used courtesy of NXP Semiconductors.