ISO 17712 revision to 2010 version

The latest version of the ISO17712 has been revised to ISO17712:2010, which addresses some of the security issues with bolt seals. The International Seals Manufacturers Association gives a rather detailed explanation towards the changes addressed in this ISO 17712:2010 revision.

"The third generation changes published in ISO 17712: 2010 addressed technical issues, added testing for tamper evidence and established an 18 month transition buffer after publication for critical issues. 

Most of the technical changes that affect accredited testing labs, which must have ISO 17712 included in their scope of competence: the changes clarified test fixture designs and added specificity to the test procedures.  Another technical change, reflecting user experience, established an 18mm minimum widest diameter for bolt seals. ISO/PAS 17712 had addressed seal diameter as a functional requirement and the industry norm tended to be 17mm.  The 18 month transition buffer applied to the 18mm requirement to accomodate manufacturer's tooling requirements and particularly to allow seal inventory adjustment throughout bolt seal supply chains.

Testing for tamper evidence is the most important change since addition of the normative Annex A.  Customs regulators in the European Commission approached ISO and expressed strong interest in tamper testing and vetting of security seals. ISO TC 104 leaders decided that WG8 would work with the EC to address their concerns.  All parties shared a goal: to facilitate maintenance of a common global regime for security seals. "

Additionally,  seals will also be required to have markings of indicative ("I"), security ("S") and high security ("H") on each seal. These classifications will be determined by certified testing bodies such as SGS Malaysia, and Dayton Brown (from the US).


By March 2012, all seals all ISO 17712 compliant seals must be certified as tamper evident, giving companies the peace of mind when using these certified security seals .

Article featured in "On Board Hospitality" Magazine

An article written by ABRIC was featured on the "On Board Hospitality" magazine. The article was based on cargo theft and tips on preventing losses from cargo theft.

Cargo theft is a growing multi-billion dollar concern, and it is estimate of approximately $30 billion worth of goods have been stolen a year worldwide. Authorities and several non-profit organizations (such as TAPA) are doing their best to put up a fight against these terrors. Yet it is equally important to prevent and discourage cargo theft from happening. Arming oneself with information regarding cargo theft such as popular theft places, methods, and most stolen products is one of the ways to prevent cargo theft. Creating barriers by using security seals, being alert of surroundings and simply being involved with organizations that combat cargo theft are also important measures which should be taken into consideration.

We would like to thank Ms Sue Williams of On Board Hospitality Magazine for giving us the opportunity to contribute towards the magazine. Big thanks!

ABRIC's Seals Newsletter February 2010 (Issue 2) Released

Our Seals Newsletter has just been released, and is available for download here on our website.

Snapshot of our Seals newsletter Issue 2

In this issue, we look at the treats of cargo theft, our new products, and a new column featuring our leading security seals.


Also, I would like to thank those who have kindly contributed their time and effort into making this newsletter possible. Thank you all very much!

Be sure to stay tuned for our next issue of Seals Newsletter!

Cheap Seals Exposed

All businesses face a constant struggle in our everyday business on the right balance between quality and costs. We ask ourselves, "How is it possible for other manufacturers to produce seals that are cheaper than ours? Have they found a secret formula that we do not know about?" We therefore set forth on a quest to satisfy our curiosity by visiting some of the security seals manufacturers in the market.

So we came by few manufacturer whose products were being made and sold by contract for a few well-known international brands. This factory manufactures ISO17712-compliant bolt seals and variable length seals.

Other manufacturer's QC checkpoint

ABRIC's QC checkpoint

To our surprise, the working environments for these factories are so laid back! Parts of incomplete seals lying everywhere in the assembly area, working hazards in the material store, quality control without proper control of quality.

Other Manufacturer's Material Store

ABRIC's Material Store

We learn that these manufacturing working conditions is not what ABRIC intend to be, and we are shocked to find this type of manufacturing environments is considered by some international brands as an acceptable environment to manufacture security seals.

After all, a security seal is a high-quality customized "security" product used to ensure that your brand reputation and products, worth thousands of times more than the seal, is not compromised.

A Show of Strength

Meet Stanley.

"Hi."

Stanley has been away for quite some time now, kept in a dark corner of our storage room. Its time we bring him out for a bit of fresh air, and some bolt and metal cutting action! 

UnoLock 1.5 and UnoLock 3.5

This is AluLock.  It is used in various industries and applications, namely shipping containers, valves in petrochemical industries, and plastic box and cases. This variable length high security barrier seal comes with various sizes. The smallest of them all, sized at Ø1.5mm, requires smaller cutter tools, as compared to its bigger (and badder) brother, the AluLock 5.0mm. With a shear strength of more than 900 kg-f, the AluLock 5.0 requires bigger bolt cutters (like Stanley) to be removed.

AluLock 5.0

Lets start it off easy for Stanley, against the AluLock 1.5, and AluLock 3.5.

Like a knife through butter.

Its not as easy as it looks.

But the real challenge lies ahead. This is the EinLock 8.0. A high security bolt seal, the EinLock's barrel is made of high quality ABS material to withstand impact, giving its shear strength of more than 1000kg-f! It is typically used in shipping industries, sealing cargo containers, and trucks.

When EinLock meets Stanley.

Except for the AluLock 1.5 and 3.5, most of ABRIC's barrier seals require cutting tools such as Stanley to remove. This provides great security for cargo and containers which are being held and stored and exposed to theft at a location for long periods of time, capable of withstanding harsh climatic and environmental conditions. A perfect solution for many shipping, and oil and gas industries.