Will the Changes in MIL-STD-130N & MIL-STD-130L Affect You?

MIL-STD-130N:

MIL-STD-130N is the most recent version of MIL-STD-130 (with version N) which was released on 17th December, 2007. The amendment shall not affect the interpretation of different UID coding requirements such as labels, validation and verification. The new MIL-STD-130N standard defines Label as “An item marked with the identification information of another item and affixed to that other item. A label may be of any similar or different material than that of the item to which it is affixed.” This basically means that a label (data plate, name plate, ID plate, etc) can now be made of a metallic or non-metallic material. Further, the labels can be affixed to the identified item by any proper means. As per the MIL-STD-130N, the UID will now be limited to 50 characters only.

MIL-STD-130L:

MIL-STD-130L is the most fundamental item identification marking standard by which marking requirements for different products can be designed during design activity. The Department of Defense uses MIL-STD-130L as a standard model mainly for acquisition of military material. Moreover, MIL-STD-130L is also used by other government agencies for conducting similar activities. In fact, MIL-STD-130L standard is being widely used in the non-government industries for developing company specific marking guidance for their items. MIL-STD-130L is the latest edition (revision L) incorporates and implements the DoD Unique Identification (UID) policy issued 29th July, 2003. The most recent edition also applies to the area of machine-readable marking by offering a comprehensive guidance as this technology standard continues to develop beyond commonly recognized bar code protocols.

The new UID standard MIL-STD-130N has also modified the definition of Validation as follows: “Confirmation by examination and provisions of objective evidence that the particular requirements for a specific intended use have been fulfilled; that all requirements have been implemented correctly and completely and are traceable to system requirements.”

Moreover, the MIL-STD-130N defines Verification as follows: “Confirmation by examination, and provisions of objective evidence, that the item identification marking requirements specified in this standard and the associated contract have been fulfilled.”

These sections are extremely vital as they put the obligation on the contractor to prove that the UID labeling meets the requirements of the Standard.