New Seal Standards - March 1, 2012

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Canadian Society of Customs Brokers Feb 21, 2012

This message is to clarify the notice sent to all partners on December 21, 2011—New Seal Standards—March 1, 2012. The message advised PIP partners that the new International Organization for Standardization (ISO) mechanical seal standard (ISO 17712:2010 ) is scheduled to become effective on March 1, 2012, and recommended that certified companies begin phasing in ISO 17712:2010 compliant seals after their current stocks of high security seals have been exhausted.

Since the issuance of the previous notice, PIP has learned that the tamper evidence element of the ISO 17712:2010 requirements (Clause 6) cannot be met. To date, no accredited independent laboratories have been willing to test and certify seals as complying with the tamper evidence requirement. Consequently, PIP has determined that implementation of the new standard is not viable by the March 01, 2012 deadline.

PIP has also become aware that the ISO is working to amend ISO 17712:2010 to address the issue with this standard. Therefore, implementation of the new ISO 17712:2010 standard for mechanical seals will be delayed until PIP receives definitive information that ISO has resolved this issue. PIP partners will be advised when the ISO has resolved the tamper evidence issue with the ISO 17712:2010 standard.

Since the ISO 17712: 2010 (18 mm) certification for high security seals is attainable without the Clause 6 testing portion of the standard, PIP encourages partners to buy seals that meet this part of the standard. If PIP companies decide to transition to seals that meet this portion of the new ISO standard, they should request documentation to confirm that the purchased seals comply with the current testing requirements for ISO 17712: 2010 (18 mm) certification.