The new rules establish a binding obligation for all dogs and cats kept within the EU, including privately owned pets, to be identified using implanted RFID transponders compliant with ISO 11784 and ISO 11785 standards. These passive LF (Low Frequency) transponders operate at 134.2 kHz and use FDX-B (Full Duplex B) encoding to transmit a unique 15-digit identification code when scanned. The microchips, roughly the size of a grain of rice, are injected subcutaneously by a veterinarian and require no battery, drawing their power from the electromagnetic field generated by the RFID reader during scanning.

Once microchipped, each animal must be registered in interoperable national databases. Microchip identification numbers and associated database information will be stored in a single index database managed by the European Commission, creating an EU-wide traceability infrastructure for companion animals. This centralised approach replaces the previously fragmented patchwork of national systems that varied widely in scope and enforcement.

The regulation introduces a phased implementation timeline. Sellers, breeders and shelters will have four years from the date the legislation enters into force to comply with the microchipping and registration requirements. For private pet owners who do not intend to sell their animals, the deadline extends to 10 years for dog owners and 15 years for cat owners, acknowledging the practical challenges of retroactively chipping millions of existing household pets.

Animals imported from non-EU countries for commercial sale must be microchipped before entering the EU and subsequently registered in a national database. Pet owners travelling into the EU with their animals will be required to pre-register their microchipped pet in a recognised database at least five working days before arrival, unless the animal is already registered in an EU member state.

Beyond microchipping, the regulation addresses broader animal welfare concerns. It bans the breeding of dogs and cats with exaggerated physical characteristics that pose significant health risks, such as overly short legs or flat faces. Practices including ear-cropping and tail-docking are also prohibited under the new framework. The rules set minimum welfare standards for kennels and shelters, and aim to tackle the illegal pet trade, which is estimated to be worth 1.3 billion euros annually across the EU.

The legislation now requires formal approval from EU Member States before entering into force, which is widely expected to be a formality given the broad political consensus behind the measures. Public support for the rules has been substantial, with surveys indicating strong citizen backing for harmonised EU-level animal welfare standards.

For the RFID industry, the regulation represents a significant expansion of the LF animal identification market across Europe, driving demand for ISO-compliant transponders, readers and the backend database infrastructure needed to support interoperable registration systems at a continental scale.

Read more at https://www.europarl.europa.eu/pdfs/news/expert/2026/4/press_release/20260423IPR41833/20260423IPR41833_en.pdf

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