ISO standards imminent for mechanical seals

Electronic option is the next logical step up the security line
THE INTERNATIONAL standards for mechanical seals on containers are about to be made compulsory, according to Kevin Norwitz, MD of Vikela Aluvin, and will force the larger shipping lines and exporters to fall in line quickly with the new standards. “They’re all currently playing a waiting game,” he said, “until the legislation is made obligatory.” It’s currently being driven by the US – which has felt vulnerable to acts of terror through freight containers since 9/11. Because 80% of the world’s goods are transported in containers, it introduced a system of C-TPAT compliant partners – those who have good supply chain security procedures and controls to reduce the need to screen their imported cargo. As part of this thinking, US Customs and Border Protection and the World Customs Organisation are in the process of introducing ISO17712 standards to regulate the security requirements for mechanical seals. And this might put a few current seal manufacturers out of the market, according to Norwitz. Many seal manufacturers claim high standards, he said, but would probably fail the four stringent tests on mechanical seals – as well as compliance with stipulated quality control systems in the manufacturing process. Reputable international agencies, he added, will have to be appointed to take on the task of testing and verifying mechanical bolt and cable seals used in shipping containers. Looking ahead, Norwitz sees electronic seals as the next logical step up the security line. But, he said, the costs associated with their introduction are very high, so it would require a major port authority or shipping line to be the first to go electronic. These costs include fixed and portable scanners and software that need to be compatible with existing tracking software. “Of course it’s a question of balance,” Norwitz told FTW, “the cost of security against the level of security. At current exchange rates mechanical seals cost anything from US30-cents (R2.20) to 50-c (R3.36) each while long-cable seals cost US$1.50 (R11) to $2 (R14.66) each. “Weigh these up against a container with R1-million worth of goods in it and you see what’s at stake.”