NNTC Newsletter

What is ISO PAS 17712?

The International Standards Organization (ISO) permits it's technical committees to draft and vote on Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) as, in effect, a kind of interim International Standard. A PAS is faster to approve than a formal standard, but it has a limited shelf-life.

The original ISO PAS 17712, published in 2003, was developed by a working group of users and manufacturers assembled by ISO Technical Committee (TC) 104, Freight Containers. It focused on the physical parameters of three levels of seal strength: indicative, security and high security. The strength of a seal is measured with tests based on impact, shear, bend and tensile strength. The values, the measures of strength, reflected numbers in use by major customs authorities.

As a series of programs, such as the US Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and the World Customs Organization's Framework of standards, endorsed and "encouraged" the use of ISO compliant seals, the quality of seals used in international trade improved.

However, it became increasingly clear that security-related practices were as important as the physical strength of a seal. Whether through immature management practices or misuse, seal manufacturers and distributors could effectively compromise the security of a seal before it was shipped out of the door.

Following ISO procedures, the working group produced a Normative Annexe for security-related management practices; the annex requires certification after inspection by a qualified and independent reviewer. TC 104 approved the revision and ISO published it as ISO PAS 17712; 2006.

The two most important features of the revision are:

Seals must show a mark to indicate their grade - "H" for high security, "S" for security and "I" for indicative.Only manufacturers certified as compliant with the normative annex may put grade marks on seals ergo ISO compliant seals can only come from ISO compliant sources.

ISO/PAS 17712 And How It Affects Buyers

As a buyer of security seals that you need to be ISO/PAS 17712 compliant, you cannot simply accept "Yes, we comply" as an answer from your supplier.. You must be able to ensure that you have bought a product that does comply fully.

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:

• Strong and durable against weather, chemical action and undetectable tampering.
• Easy to apply and seal.
• Be permanently and uniquely marked.
• The manufacturer's logo should be easily identifiable.

If your requirement is for high security seals H, and you have purchased seals which cannot be proven to be ISO/PAS 17712 compliant, you will under C-TPAT procedures risk delays with your shipping.

In order to define whether a seal meets the H classification for C-TPAT compliance, seals must be subject to ISO approved performance tests.

ISO/PAS 17712 defines tests and suggested apparatus for security seals, including a tensile (pull) test, a shear (cutting) test, bend and an impact test.

Equally as important and in addition to the physical requirements of the ISO/PAS 17712, procedural guidelines are set down in Annex A (Normative) which govern compliance of the seal manufacturer themselves.

What is Annexe A (Normative)?

In November 2004, ISMA and ISO decided to further clarify the conditions of ISO/PAS 11712. 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 further 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 in a "chain of custody". This "chain of custody" spans from the initial design of the seal, the start of its lifetime through to the seal's effective "afterlife".

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 from design process, seal manufacturer best practices, product certification, distributor & reseller practices, user knowledge & discipline, in transit management, post shipment chain of custody.

For further details, including the important How can buyers be sure? please visit the website of the author and copyright owner:

www.ismasecurity.com/

A new seal requirement for all sea containers in transit to the United States was published in the Federal Register on August 7, 2008 and will become effective on October 15, 2008.

Following is the exact wording of 73 FR 46029:

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Customs and Border Protection
[CBP Dec. 08-30]
Container Seals on Maritime Cargo
AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security.
ACTION: General notice.
SUMMARY: This document brings attention to the existing statutory requirement by which all maritime containers in transit to the United States are required to be sealed with a seal meeting the ISO/PAS 17712 standard and specifies the date on which the requirement shall take effect.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 15, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Leslie Fleming Luczkowski, Cargo and Conveyance Security, Office of Field Operations, (202) 344-1927.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Pursuant to 6 U.S.C. 944, as amended by Section 1701 of Title XVII ("Maritime Cargo") of the Implementing Recommendations of the 911 Commission Act of 2007 (911 Act), the Secretary of Homeland Security is authorized to establish by regulation minimum standards and procedures for securing containers in transit to the United States. The 911 Act provides that if the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not issue an interim final rule for establishing such minimum standards and procedures by April 1, 2008, effective no later than October 15, 2008, all containers in transit to the United States shall be required to be sealed with a seal meeting the International Organization for Standardization Publicly Available Specification 17712 (ISO/PAS 17712) standard for sealing containers. As DHS has not issued regulations establishing minimum standards and procedures for securing such containers at this time, pursuant to 6 U.S.C. 944, all maritime containers in transit to the U.S. by vessel shall be required to be sealed with a seal meeting the ISO/PAS 17712 standard for sealing containers no later than October 15, 2008. As 6 U.S.C. 944 imposes a self executing legal requirement, DHS is not required to issue regulations for this requirement to be implemented. This document does not impose additional requirements beyond those found in 6 U.S.C. 944. This document simply serves to bring attention to the existing statutory requirement that all maritime containers in transit to the United States by vessel are required to be sealed with a seal meeting the ISO/PAS 17712 standard and specifies the date on which the requirement takes effect.
The ISO/PAS 17712 Standard Generally, ISO/PAS 17712 requires that container freight seals meet or exceed certain standards for strength and durability so as to prevent accidental breakage, early deterioration (due to weather conditions, chemical action, etc.) or undetectable tampering under normal usage. ISO/PAS 17712 also requires that each seal be clearly and legibly marked with a unique identification number. Copies of ISO/PAS 17712 may be purchased from the International Organization for Standardization, 1, rue de Varembe, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland or the American National Standards Institute, 25 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Original Source: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-18176.pdf