ISO 17712

ISO 17712 is an international standard which establishes testing and performance criteria for 3 different categories of mechanical security seals:

1) High Security Seals

These seals are designed to provide the most security. The most common high security seals are bolt seals (typically 7mm diameter or more) and cable seals (typically 3.5mm diameter minimum). These seals also serve as barriers since they require special tools (heavy duty bolt cutters, cable cutters or cutting wheels) to remove the seals.

Typical applications include placing a bolt seal or cable seal in the hasp of the door latch. Another common practice is to wrap the keeper bars with a longer cable seal or use a keeper bar lock.

The Customs-Trade Patnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) is a joint effort between the United State government and businesses involved in importing goods into the United States. One of the C-TPAT guidelines is to use seals rated High Security for intenational shipments which cross borders.

2) Security Seals

These are mid-level security devices which are lower cost than High Security Seals, but offer a higher break strength than Indicative Seals. The higher break strength assures the seals are druable for the application and not prone to breaking unintentionally. These seals typically include lower diameter cable seals (3mm diameter and less) and the high-strength plastic seals. These seals are typically removed with cable/wire cutters or other light weight tools.

3) Indicative Seals

These devices offer the lowest level of security. They are intended to show tampering, but are not intended to be a barrier for access. This category typically includes metal, plastic, or wire seals which can be pulled apart by hand or cut with a tin snips or scissors.