New NFC 15 Standard Announced: Extended Range and More Secure

We admit it, NFC has changed the way we interact with the world.
From charging our devices to unlocking cars and making payments, NFC (Near Field Communication) has become a vital technology for secure, close-contact transactions.

Now, NFC is getting another upgrade. The NFC Forum has released Version 15 of its Near Field Communication standard, bringing improved reliability, enhanced security, and expanded capabilities.

New Features in NFC 15:

• Extended communication range of up to 2 centimeters, up from the previous 0.5 centimeters
• Devices no longer need to be precisely aligned or positioned to connect
• Support for Digital Product Passport (DPP)

With these improvements, NFC-enabled devices will connect more easily, enhancing everyday tasks like boarding buses and trains, making payments, and using digital vehicle keys. Wireless charging with NFC will also become easier, as perfect alignment with the charging base will no longer be required.

The support for Digital Product Passports (DPP) enables brands to access detailed product data through the NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF). Consumers can view a product’s history, maintenance records, and other relevant information — contributing to a more sustainable and transparent product lifecycle.

Despite the upgrades, the NFC Forum emphasizes that NFC 15 remains a proximity-based, short-range technology that ensures secure data transfer. The technical specifications are already available to manufacturers, with certification and product rollout expected later this year.