Delayed Implementation of New Mechanical Seal Standard for Cargo Containers
(ST&R Trade Report)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) informed members of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Feb. 15 that implementation of the updated International Organization for Standardization (ISO) mechanical seal standard will not be viable by March 1 as previously announced. CBP has learned that the tamper evidence element (clause 6) of the new standard (ISO 17712:2010) cannot be met and that to date no accredited independent laboratories have been willing to test and certify seals as complying with this requirement. While the ISO is working to resolve this issue, implementation of the new standard will be delayed until CBP receives definitive information that this has been accomplished.
CBP notes that since the ISO 17712: 2010 (18 mm) certification for high-security seals is attainable without the clause 6 testing portion of the standard, C-TPAT partners are encouraged to buy seals that meet this part of the standard. If they do so, however, they should request documentation to confirm that the purchased seals comply with the current testing requirements for ISO 17712: 2010 (18 mm) certification.
Date: February 17, 2012
