ASTM F832-90(2016)

Standard Classification for Security Seals

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 This standard is intended to provide information on currently available commercial seals as a guide in their selection for specific applications. This classification is not intended to inhibit innovation or development of new types of seals.
SCOPE
1.1 This classification covers categories of commercially available security seals. Special-purpose seals, such as fiber optic and sophisticated electronic seals, are not covered by this classification.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2016
• ICS: 97.020 - Home economics in general
• Technical Committee: F12 - Security Systems and Equipment
• Drafting Committee: F12.50 - Locking Devices

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F832-90(2008) - Standard Classification for Security Seals
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2016
• Referred By: ASTM F1157-04(2015) - Standard Practice for Classifying the Relative Performance of the Physical Properties of Security Seals
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2016
• Referred By: ASTM F1699-96(2016) - Standard Classification for Passive Fiber Optic Seals
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2016
• Referred By: ASTM F1158-94(2015) - Standard Guide for Inspection and Evaluation of Tampering of Security Seals
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2016
• Referred By: ASTM F946-85(2018) - Standard Guide for Establishing Security Seal Control and Accountability Procedures
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2016

Overview

ASTM F832-90(2016): Standard Classification for Security Seals is a widely recognized international standard developed by ASTM International. This standard provides a comprehensive classification for commercially available security seals, which are crucial for tamper detection and asset protection in a variety of industries. The guidance offered by ASTM F832 supports accurate seal selection for specific applications without discouraging technological innovation or the development of new product types. Note that it does not cover special-purpose seals such as fiber optic or advanced electronic seals.

Key Topics

• Security Seal Definition: Security seals are passive, one-time locking devices designed to indicate tampering or attempted entry, typically requiring physical inspection for verification.

• Seal Categories: The standard classifies security seals based on configuration and construction material. Main categories include:

  • Barrier Seals: High-strength seals, often made from steel or cable, intended to delay unauthorized access and generally removed with specialized tools.
  • Indicative Seals: Seals made of materials that are easy to break or cut by hand or with simple tools, providing visual evidence of access.

• Types of Security Seals:

  • Wire Seals: Secure wire looped by a seizing device.
  • Padlock Seals: Feature a locking body and bale, available in metal or plastic.
  • Strap Seals: Metal or plastic strap designed to form a loop via a locking mechanism.
  • Cable Seals: Include a cable and locking device, available in one- and two-piece designs.
  • Bolt Seals: Metal rods with locking mechanisms, often enhanced by threading.
  • Cinch or Pull-Up Seals: Thin plastic or nylon strips with adjustable locking, primarily for one-time use.
  • Twist Seals: Steel or heavy-gauge wire twisted to secure an opening.
  • Scored Seals: Metal strips scored to facilitate breakage upon removal.
  • Label Seals: Frangible adhesive-backed labels that tear on tampering.

Applications

Security seals classified under ASTM F832-90(2016) serve widespread and practical applications across many industries. Typical use cases include:

• Cargo and Freight Security: Ensuring the integrity of shipping containers, trailers, and logistics chain links by using barrier or indicative seals.
• Banking and Cash Handling: Securing bags, drawers, or deposit boxes against unauthorized access.
• Utility Services: Protecting meters, valves, and sensitive equipment to prevent tampering and fraud.
• Retail and Wholesale Distribution: Safeguarding product shipments and supply chain assets.
• Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare: Ensuring that medicines and medical supplies remain untampered during transport or storage.

The proper selection of a security seal type, as described in this ASTM classification, helps organizations comply with regulatory requirements, reduce losses, and maintain consumer trust.

Related Standards

For a cohesive approach to security seal implementation, organizations often reference ASTM F832-90(2016) in conjunction with other relevant standards, such as:

• ASTM F1158: Specification for Performance of Security Seals
• ISO 17712: International standard for mechanical seals used on freight containers
• C-TPAT Guidelines: U.S. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism’s requirements for high-security seals

Utilizing ASTM F832-90(2016) together with related guidelines ensures robust tamper evidence and asset protection, supporting both national and international security regulations and best practices.

Keywords: security seals, ASTM F832-90, indicative seals, barrier seals, tamper-evident, asset protection, tamper detection, locking devices, container security, supply chain integrity

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F832 −90 (Reapproved 2016)
Standard Classification for
Security Seals
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F832; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 5.2 Padlock—The padlock type of seal consists of a locking
body with a bail attached. Examples of this type of seal are the
1.1 This classification covers categories of commercially
wire shackle padlock (metal or plastic body), plastic padlock,
available security seals. Special-purpose seals, such as fiber
and keyless padlock.
optic and sophisticated electronic seals, are not covered by this
classification. 5.3 Strap—The strap seal is a metal or plastic strap which is
secured to form a loop by inserting one end into or through a
locking mechanism on the other end. Examples of this type are
2. Terminology
the box and ball end seal.
2.1 Definitions:
5.4 Cable—The cable seal consists of a cable and a locking
2.1.1 security seal—a passive, one-time locking device to
mechanism. On a one-piece seal, the locking or seizing
detect tampering or entry, and may be of substantial construc-
mechanism is permanently attached to one end of the cable. A
tion. Seals require inspection to indicate whether tampering has
two-piece cable seal has a separate locking mechanism which
occurred or entry has been attempted.
slips onto the cable or prefabricated end.
2.1.1.1 barrier type security seals—seals that are con-
structed and manufactured of material such as steel or cable
5.5 Bolt—The bolt seal is a metal rod, threaded or
with the intent to delay intrusion, and are generally removed
unthreaded, with a formed head, and is secured with a separate
with quality bolt cutters or cable cutters.
locking mechanism. Threaded bolts are usually bent after
2.1.1.2 indicative type security seals—seals that are con-
installation to upset the threads and prevent undetected re-
structed and manufactured of material that can easily be broken
moval of the locking mechanism.
by hand or simple snipping tool or shear.
5.6 Cinch or Pull-Up—The cinch or pull-up type is an
indicative seal. It consists of a thin strip of material, serrated or
3. Significance and Use
nonserrated, with a locking mechanism attached to one end.
3.1 This standard is intended to provide information on
The free end is pulled through a hole in the locking mechanism
currently available commercial seals as a guide in their
and drawn up to the necessary tightness. Cinch or pull-up type
selection for specific applications. This classification is not
seals may have multiple lock positions. These seals are
intended to inhibit innovation or development of new types of
generally made of synthetics such as ny
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