By Mike McCamon, Executive Director, NFC Forum
The modern world is defined by connectivity. Smartphones and laptops are now just one part of a much broader ecosystem of connected devices, with the Internet of Things (IoT) enabling seamless interactions across homes, workplaces and public spaces. As connected technologies become more commonplace, users increasingly expect simple, intuitive experiences.
One of the key facilitators to this growth has been Near Field Communication (NFC). Based on ISO/IEC 14443, NFC technology was initially conceived as a framework for interoperable and secure card-based transactions in the payments and smart mobility spaces. And having been forged in the regulatory crucible of the payments world, this has resulted in an environment of trust for NFC as a secure, convenient and reliable solution for seamless connectivity.
NFC technology is now foundational in use cases as diverse as healthcare, access control, and sustainability. This brings great opportunity to drive a more connected world, but only happen if these contactless use cases work seamlessly and consistently no matter the device or service. To power the next era of contactless connections, a focus on technical standards will therefore be essential to maintain user trust and deliver a safe, interoperable and reliable user experience.
Beyond payments
NFC has evolved into a practical tool for connecting and configuring IoT devices. One of its most important roles today is device provisioning.
For instance, using the industry standard NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF), one of the foremost applications for NFC in IoT products today is in device provisioning. This standard provides a secure communications methodology using a single tap between devices to allow users to perform a limitless variety of actions.
A user’s smartphone can be tapped against an IoT device to share credentials for a Wi-Fi network; it can be used to commence a Bluetooth connection for devices such as headphones; it can even allow a smartphone to become the user interface for an IoT device that doesn’t have a screen, allowing the end user to adjust settings directly from their commercially available smartphone.
The wireless charging market also requires multiple solutions – one of which being NFC Wireless Charging – to meet the unique demands of different devices’ technical parameters, such as product design, maximum charging wattage and battery size. NFC Wireless Charging is optimised for small form factors, with antenna dimensions as small as 9 × 4 mm, to provide induction charging up to 1 Watt; the 2026 NFC Forum Technology Roadmap declared a continued focused on increasing this to 3 Watts in the future.
This combination makes NFC Wireless Charging particularly well-suited for IoT devices where space is limited, such as wireless keyboards and mice, smart glasses, earbuds, digital styluses and fitness trackers.
Preparing for the Digital Product Passport
While NFC is playing a significant role in encouraging innovation in the IoT space, it has an equally significant part to play in supporting regulatory compliance. The 2027 deadline for the first phase of Digital Product Passport (DPP) regulation is now fast approaching, to be followed by phased implementations across almost all sectors by 2033. This will mandate that all products – including all IoT devices – must have readily accessible data on their composition, source, and recyclability. NFC is one of the data carriers identified by industry as capable of ensuring secure, interoperable access to DPP data.
Extending from baseline data carrier functionality, the NFC Digital Product Passport (NDPP) Standard allows for additional dynamic data on variables such as internal battery health to be stored alongside the static DPP data. In doing so, this can help mitigate the purchase of unnecessary replacements while validating the IoT device is still functional and safe to use. And as NFC is already an integral part of everyday life and accessible via a smartphone, adoption can quick and easy without requiring users to purchase any specialist hardware.
Connecting next gen IoT
The expansion of the IoT has undoubtedly ushered in a new era of connectivity, however for each of these innovations to reach their full potential, it is essential that they can coexist as part of a harmonious connected device ecosystem. With so many different stakeholders, markets, functionalities and device types needing to align, defined and trusted standards are essential to establish a common baseline that lays out the guidelines of interaction between devices.
Standards such as those defined by NFC Forum ensure consistent behaviour across all NFC implementations, which is fundamental for both user trust and companies deploying products at scale. They allow organisations to innovate independently while remaining aligned within a shared ecosystem. This ensures that different applications and IoT devices do not disrupt or impact another service or component, providing the secure, convenient and reliable contactless experience that today’s users expect.
