DraftVerify Clear NA draft from keg to tap
DraftVerify Standards Library · F-29

Tag Activation Rules

Version 2.0 · Publication Date: 2026-09-22 · Status: Published / Effective
© 2026 DraftVerify™ Standards Initiative. All rights reserved.

Document control — DV v2.0 · Normative Activation Requirement. Shall indicates a requirement for applicable DraftVerify conformity. External law, equipment requirements, and qualified technical instructions remain controlling external obligations. Public access grants no certification or mark licence.

This document defines the official rules for activating DraftVerify Coupler Tags (DTIs), binding them to brewery products, and ensuring they enter circulation in a secure, validated, and tamper-resistant state.

DTI activation is the moment a tag becomes part of the DraftVerify Identity Chain.
Errors at activation lead to downstream misidentification, mis-serve risk, and failed compliance audits.
These rules ensure consistent, verifiable activation across all breweries.

1. Purpose of Activation Rules

Tag activation ensures that:

  • Each DTI is assigned to one product, permanently
  • Brewery activation matches Registry expectations
  • No tag enters circulation without verification
  • Tampering, mislabeling, and duplication are eliminated
  • Downstream distributors and venues receive correct identities
  • Registry data remains authoritative and consistent

Activation protects consumers, breweries, distribution partners, and venues.

2. Scope

These rules apply to:

  • All DraftVerify Coupler Tags
  • All breweries participating in DraftVerify
  • All activation workflows (manual, app-based, or automated)
  • All future DTI versions

Activation shall occur before kegs leave the brewery.

3. Activation Prerequisites

Before a tag can be activated, the following shall be complete:

3.1 Brewery Verification

Brewery shall be validated in the Registry:

  • Approved Brewery ID
  • Authorized activation personnel
  • Trained in F-12 and F-13 workflows

3.2 Product Registration

Product shall exist in the Registry with:

  • Product ID
  • Style
  • NA classification
  • Visual identity

3.3 Physical Tag Inspection

Activation personnel shall confirm:

  • Correct DraftVerify NA banding
  • DTI printed clearly and scannable
  • No damage, bends, or adhesive problems
  • NFC chip functioning (test scan required)

If the physical tag fails inspection → tag shall be retired.

4. Activation Workflow (Standard v1.0)

Activation follows the official brewery process defined in F-13.

Step 1 — Scan the DTI

Using an NFC-enabled device:

  • Tap the coupler tag
  • The activation page loads
  • System verifies the tag is in Inactive state

Step 2 — Select Product

Brewery selects the product (SKU) being packaged.

Step 3 — Confirm Assignment

System displays:

  • Brewery name
  • Product name
  • DTI
  • NFC UID
  • Activation technician ID

Technician shall confirm all are correct.

Step 4 — Activate Tag

Registry transitions tag from:

Inactive → Active

Once activated:

  • Product assignment is permanent
  • Tag may not be reused
  • Tag may not be reassigned
  • Tag becomes part of compliance framework

Step 5 — Affix Tag to Keg

Tag shall be zip-tied to the coupler flange following:

  • F-7 Coupler Tag Standard
  • Brewery SOP for placement
  • Tamper-resistant fastening

Tag shall not spin freely or be placed on moving components.

5. Permanent Assignment Rules

Once activated:

  • DTI cannot be edited
  • Product mapping cannot be changed
  • Brewery assignment cannot be changed
  • Tag cannot be reprogrammed or reused

A DTI is one identity for life, even after keg retirement.

6. Rejection Conditions

A tag cannot be activated if:

  • It is already Active
  • It is Retired
  • It is in Error state
  • Its NFC UID does not match the Registry record
  • Product selected does not match the Brewery’s product list
  • Tag fails physical inspection
  • The page indicates a mismatch warning

If a tag fails activation:

  • Quarantine immediately
  • Report using brewery discrepancy form
  • Replace with a new DTI

7. Error State Triggers

The Registry automatically sets a tag to Error if:

  • DTI reused in multiple activations
  • NFC UID collision is detected
  • Product mismatch at scan
  • Verification loop inconsistency
  • Improper activation sequence detected

Tags in Error state shall be:

  1. Quarantined
  2. Investigated
  3. Retired

Never reassigned.

8. Activation Logging Requirements

Registry shall store:

  • DTI
  • Brewery ID
  • Product ID
  • Timestamp
  • Technician identity
  • NFC UID
  • Device type
  • Location (if enabled)

Activation logs are immutable.

9. Activation Audit Requirements

Breweries shall maintain:

  • Weekly activation logs
  • Tag usage counts
  • Discrepancy reports
  • Quarantined tag list

Auditors verify:

  • Activation integrity
  • Product mapping accuracy
  • Tag affixation compliance
  • Discrepancy handling

Misactivation is grounds for temporary loss of DraftVerify certification.

10. Summary

Tag activation is the gateway to the entire DraftVerify Identity System.
Correct activation ensures:

  • Product identity integrity
  • Downstream traceability
  • Accurate distributor and venue workflows
  • Predictable compliance outcomes
  • Protection against mis-serve and liability

Once activated, a DTI becomes a permanent, auditable identity that shall remain intact for the full lifecycle of the keg.