How EAS Tags and Labels are Removed or Deactivated

When an item is purchased, plastic EAS tags are removed by the cashiers with the help of a detacher typically installed at the register. The tags can be reused many times. The self-alarming ones (with internal batteries) usually have a lifespan of 2-3 years, while the simpler, non-alarming ones can last many years more, until they are physically damaged.

Labels, on the other hand, are not removed but deactivated. This is accomplished by a deactivator pad at the register – the cashier simply waves the item over the pad and the EAS label is deactivated. Sometimes the deactivator pad is built in with the price scanner, so one motion accomplishes two tasks – scans the price and deactivates the EAS label.