APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USING A PRODUCT HAVING AN IN-USE EXPIRY DATE

An apparatus for using a product having an in-use expiry date includes a portable electronic device and a label or tag of the product including a machine-readable code. An application loaded in the portable electronic device or in a remote location is configured for: receiving and optionally storing data of the product and a date of reading when reading devices read the machine-readable code at the date of reading and, if the machine-readable code has been read for the first time after manufacturing the product, then: calculating and storing an in-use expiry date from the date of reading and an in-use life period and/or starting an in-use expiry counter. An alert is enabled as a function of the in-use expiry date and/or of the in-use life period, so that the portable electronic device issues the alert when the in-use expiry date is reached or approaching or when the in-use life period is elapsed or about to elapse.