Security seals are used to ensure that a container, truck box or other containers are not opened from their point of origin to their destination. Using a tamper-evident seal is a very simple and economical way to ensure the traceability of the product being transported.
In many industries or export companies, its use is very common because the material being transported is very sensitive and should not be handled by unauthorized personnel. On other occasions, the value of the transported material is very high and the seal is necessary to avoid any type of alteration or theft of the contents.
It is very easy to use. The tamper-evident seal is numbered. When the container is closed, a tamper-evident seal is placed on the container closure itself, so that it cannot be opened. And the seal numbering is noted on the documentation accompanying the goods.
Once the goods arrive at destination, the consignee is responsible for verifying that the numbering corresponds to the numbering previously detailed on the documentation.
There are different models of security seals depending on each need. In steel, combined steel and plastic or polypropylene, among others. Also in different lengths and widths. Each seal should be used depending on the characteristics of each transport.
ISO 17712:2013 establishes uniform procedures for the classification, acceptance and removal of mechanical seals from cargo containers. It provides a single source of information on mechanical seals that are acceptable for securing cargo containers in international trade.
The purpose of mechanical seals or security seals is, as part of a security system, to determine whether a cargo container has been tampered with, i.e. whether there has been unauthorized entry into the container through its doors. Seals can only be effective if seal users document the numbering of the seals prior to use, during closure of the container and during opening of the container once at destination; while these issues are not addressed in ISO 17712, they are relevant to the successful use of seals under ISO 17712.
ISO 17712 compliant seals are suitable for other applications, such as bulk railcars or truck trailers used in domestic and international operations. Users and regulatory agencies can apply ISO 17712 to other applications as they deem appropriate.
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