The invention describes an arbitration management method and system for use in identifying RFID transponders or tags which each transmit a response signal to a reader within a respective waiting period the maximum duration of which can be adjusted. The maximum duration is determined by a random number transmitted to a counter along a number of data lines, at least one of the data lines being provided with logic gates which block or permit data line signals reaching the binary inputs of the counter to control the maximum length of the waiting period.