MAY 16,2007-An examination board has announced it is to introduce radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to increase security when despatching and receiving papers.

Edexcel plans to attach RFID tags to a number of bags containing exam papers, enabling them to be scanned out and monitored at any time after this point to detect whether the package has been tampered with.

While, this type of incident is rare, the company maintains, problems caused by papers being lost, stolen or sold to candidates can be complicated and costly to rectify.

"The potential impact is massive," said Jerry Jarvis, managing director of Edexcel. "The logistics of reissuing an alternative paper to schools and colleges ¡­ could ultimately be detrimental to candidates."

In addition to identifying if a paper has gone missing, Edexcel also hopes that the technology will enable it to detect the source of the lost or stolen item.

Exams held during the summer months can include A-Levels and GCSEs.

TUV Product Service, part of the TÜV SÜD Group of companies with 1bn Euros turnover, in excess of 9,500 employees and 500 locations worldwide, is a leading provider of Compliance and Assurance Solutions for the RFID sector. Please contact us (info@tuvps.co.uk) for further information.

SOURCE: www.tuvps.co.uk