As a buyer of security seals you must ensure that what you are buying is ISO/PAS 17712 compliant.  You cannot claim ignorance with the C-TPAT program or state that you assumed your seals were in compliance.  You also cannot accept a simple "Yes, we comply" as an acceptable response from your seal supplier.  The seals used to secure your supply chain must comply.  The evolution of ISO/PAS 17712:2006 places much more emphasis on the manufacture, process control and audit integrity of suppliers.  This is a good first step but regretfully, there is little focus on the integrity of seal design in terms of its ability to withstand attack and truly provide evidence of tampering.  The integrity of suppliers and the brute strength of their products is one thing.  A seals ability to withstand attack and to provide concrete evidence of manipulation is another. 

Security seal buyers might be confused by a seal manufacturer’s claims of their products compliance.  ISO/PAS 17712:2006 means that all suppliers must back these claims up by providing certificates to prove that their seals and their processes meet the new tighter requirements. It is the C-TPAT member’s responsibility to ensure that its chosen supplier meets all criteria.  

How can you be sure that your supplier is compliant?  

Ask your supplier for definitive proof.  Your supplier must be able to provide proof of compliance in the form of certificates relating to the product testing and the Normative annex.  The certificate of product testing should originate from an ISO/IEC 17025 independent testing authority and the certificate for the Normative annex should originate from an independent third party auditor.

Are Alpha Cargo Technology (ACT!) seals compliant?

YES.  All seals marked on our site as being compliant are definitely compliant. Certificates of product testing and the Normative annex are available at any time simply by asking.  [Ask for proof of compliance here]

Does your firm need to source from any particular club, association, or company? 

No.  Claims that companies must source their seals from a particular club or association are greatly exaggerated.  Remember, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and its C-TPAT program do not endorse any particular product, firm, or club.  What is truly essential is that you verify that the products you use comply completely with ISO/PAS 17712: 2006. 

What product conformance certificates are required from an ISO/IEC 17025 testing authority?  

  • Tensile Test   
  • Shear Test  
  • Bend Test   
  • Impact Test  

Note:   The above tests refer strictly to a seals particular physical traits.  Currently, there is no accommodation for testing a seals true worth; its ability to withstand attack, manipulation, and defeat.  It is the users responsibility to educate themselves with regard to how protected their supply chain really is.  Always remember that there are many seals on the market which are fully compliant and yet can be manipulated and defeated in mere seconds.  This leaves your supply chain vulnerable to clandestine entry issues and theft without your knowledge.  A compliant seal from a reliable source which leaves you vulnerable is more likely today than not.  Until testing improves and includes a review of manipulation and defeat techniques, your secure supply chain relies on your understanding all seals and their vulnerabilities.  Your best defense is to know what the bad guys have known for too long with regard to seal vulnerabilities.  [Learn more] 

How ISO/PAS 17712 Affects You

ISO/PAS 17712 affects users of all types of security seals.   At the present time and due to enhanced security requirements the focus is on seals identified as high security "H" traditionally manufactured as a bolt or cable type seal.  Suppliers must be sure that both their product and their procedures conform to the requirements and be able to produce the necessary certificates of compliance on request.   Buyers need to be vigilant with their purchasing. They should be able to obtain proof that the product they have chosen not only passes the performance tests set by the standard but also that the manufacturer's internal procedures comply with the standard and are independently audited to that effect. 

 

NOTE:  Beware of purchasing a false sense of security.  Most high security seals now marked with the obligatory “H” may lead you to believe that your supply chain is secure.  Most especially if the seal is compliant and from a reliable source.  Clandestine entry and defeating the seal without leaving evidence is still possible using “H” seals with the best intentions.  Until testing improves and includes a review of manipulation and defeat techniques, your secure supply chain relies on your understanding all seals and their vulnerabilities.  Your best defense is to know what the bad guys have known for too long with regard to seal vulnerabilities.  [Learn more]