RFID

The University Library uses RFID technology (radio-frequency identification). This enables fast batch lending via self-checkout and return via return stations.

Are there risks?

RFID is based on radio technology and is part of the near field communication (abbreviated NFC) environment. Other examples of NFC are your university chip card or features of current smartphones.

The microchip attached to the books is purely passive and reacts solely to the transmitting field of the antennas of self-check-in devices and security gates. The chip itself is not active, does not transmit, and does not store any data beyond what was previously encoded via the barcode.

The transmitting power of RFID antennas is comparable to that of a cell phone and can be classified as very low from a health point of view because, unlike a cell phone, the antenna is not placed directly on the body.

Wearers of pacemakers, insulin pumps, etc. should therefore behave in the same way as with cell phones: just as you should not carry your cell phone in your inside jacket pocket, you should not stay very close to the security gate for any length of time, as this is the only part of the system that is constantly "on the air".

However, simply passing through the gate is harmless even with this pre-existing health condition.

There are no health risks for you. All devices are approved according to the relevant standards such as EN 60950 and EN 50364.

Wearers of sensors with flash technology trigger the gate optically. These persons should - before passing the gate - inform the information desk.