ISO 17712:2010 establishes uniform process for the classification, acceptance and withdrawal of receipt of mechanical freight container seals. It gives a single source of information on mechanical seals which are suitable for securing freight containers in international commerce.
The reason of mechanical seals is, as part of a security system, to decide whether a freight container has been tampered with, i.e. whether there has been unauthorized entry into the container throughout its doors. Seals can be efficient only if seal users properly select, store, account for, apply, document and attend to seals prior to use and in use; whilst these problems are not addressed in ISO 17712:2010, they are appropriate to successful use of the seals covered by ISO 17712:2010.
International Standard ISO 17712 replaced ISO's Publicly Available Specification (ISO/PAS) 17712 in September 2010. The Standard refined test processes and added a technical requirement for bolt seals. More significantly, the Standard added new test needs for tamper confirmation that applies to all seals that claim ISO compliance, regardless of type. Tamper confirmation test certification goes into effect 1 March 2012, after an 18 month transition period. General needs stipulate that mechanical security seals must be: