ISO/PAS 17712 and How it Affects Suppliers
What is ISO/PAS 17712?
ISO/PAS 17712 (Publicly Available Specification) establishes “uniform procedures for the classification, acceptance, and withdrawal of acceptance of mechanical freight container seals”.
ISO/PAS 17712 defines the various types of security seals available and describes in detail the general performance requirements for each product type as well as details of testing specifications.
Seals are defined as either I Indicative, S Security or H High Security and general basic requirements stipulate that seals must be:
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Strong and durable against weather, chemical action and undetectable tampering.
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Easy to apply and seal.
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Be permanently and uniquely marked and numbered.
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The manufacturer's logo should be easily identifiable.
In order to define whether a seal should be classified as I, S or H and meet C-TPAT compliance, seals must be tested at an ISO/IEC 17025 certified test house for classification.
ISO/PAS 17712 defines the tests and suggested apparatus for security seals, including a tensile (pull), shear (cutting), bend and impact test.
In addition to complying with physical requirements, the manufacturer and approved distributors of the security seal must also comply with requirements set down in additional points in Annex A (Normative).
What is Annexe A (Normative)?
In November 2004, ISMA and ISO decided to further clarify the conditions of ISO/PAS 17712. As a result of the meeting, changes were made to the initial document and Annexe A (Normative) was significantly amended.
The aim of these amendments was to introduce, develop and implement a program which will enhance security throughout the supply chain in accordance with C-TPAT guidelines. These guidelines focus on security measures which span the lifetime of a security seal and describe six stages of an audit trail. This “chain of custody” spans from the intial design of the seal at the start of its lifetime through to the effective “afterlife” of the seal.
Chain of Custody – Design Process To After Life
The guidelines describe enhanced measures which must be in place in order to secure C-TPAT compliance. It describes the six life stages of a security seal and is summarized as follows:
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Design process
This section basically asks that the manufacturer "design in" tamper resistance and tamper evidence to all of their products. -
Seal Manufacturer Best Practises.
There are 12 security points for compliance whereby manufacturers and their suppliers must be ISO 9000:2001 compliant and implement security measures detailed in the guidelines. -
Product Certification
To comply, all products must pass ISO performance tests and be uniquely numbered and identifiable. All seals must carry the manufacturer’s unique identity mark and prove that records are stored for specific length of time as well as implement and conform to security measures detailed in the guidelines. -
Distributor & Reseller Practices
All approved distributors must also apply the same rules as the seal manufacturer by conforming and following a set of security procedures whilst demonstrating adherence to these rules. -
User Knowledge & Discipline
This section refers to the users of the system such as customs and government agencies. Here, the manufacturer’s/distributor’s role is mainly that of education and advice. -
In Transit Management
While technically the responsibility for the seal is in the hands of the shippers, there should be a set of procedures governing anomalies. Once again, the manufacturer/ distributor role is of educator and advisor. -
Post shipment chain of custody (Seal After Life)
The final stage involves ensuring that the historical data relating to the seal is stored.
For more details, copies of ISO/PAS 17712 are available for purchase from the ISO website.