ISO/TC 104/SC 4 - Identification and communication

This document provides a system for the identification and presentation of information about freight containers. The identification system is intended for general application, for example in documentation, control and communications (including automatic data processing systems), as well as for display on the containers themselves. The methods of displaying identification and certain other data (including operational data) on containers by means of permanent marks are included. This document specifies: a) a container identification system, with an associated system for verifying the accuracy of its use, having: — mandatory marks for the presentation of the identification system for visual interpretation, and — features to be used in optional Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) and electronic data interchange (EDI); b) a coding system for data on container size and type, with corresponding marks for their display; c) operational marks, both mandatory and optional; d) physical presentation of marks on the container. The terms “mandatory” and “optional” in this document are used to differentiate those ISO marking provisions which shall necessarily be fulfilled by all containers from those which are not required of all containers. The optional marks are included to further comprehension and promote uniform application of the optional mark. If a choice has been made to display an optional mark, the provisions laid down in this document relating to the mark shall be applied. The terms “mandatory” and “optional” do not refer to requirements of any regulatory body. This document applies to all freight containers covered by International Standards ISO 668, parts 1 to 5 of ISO 1496, ISO 8323 and should, wherever appropriate and practicable, be applied: — to containers other than those covered by the International Standards mentioned in Clause 2; — to container-related and/or detachable equipment. NOTE 1 Containers marked according to previous editions of ISO 6346 need not be re-marked. This document does not cover temporary operational marks of any kind, permanent marks, data plates, etc. which may be required by intergovernmental agreements, national legislation or nongovernmental organizations. NOTE 2 Some of the major international conventions whose container-marking requirements are not covered in this document are as follows: — International Convention for Safe Containers (1972, as amended) (CSC), International Maritime Organization (IMO); — Customs Convention on Containers 1956 and 1972, related to temporary admission and transport under customs seal. — Convention on Temporary Admission (Istanbul, 26 June 1990), related to temporary admission. It should not be assumed that this list is exhaustive. This document does not cover the display of technical data on tank containers (see ISO 1496-3), nor does it, in any way, include identification marks or safety signs for items of cargo which may be carried in freight containers.

ISO/TS 18625 is intended to be applicable to freight containers as defined in ISO 668 as well as to other freight containers not defined in ISO 668 and to container ancillary equipment such as road and terminal chassis, generator sets and power packs. ISO/TS 18625 provides guidance for the requirements (operational and otherwise) for a system, and its enabling devices, used to track, monitor and/or report the status of the container, hereinafter referred to as the Container Tracking and Monitoring System (CTMS). The use of a CTMS is optional. The party opting to use a CTMS is hereafter referred to as the "user of the system" or just the "user". The user, which can be, e.g. a shipper, a consolidator, a logistics service provider or a container owner or operator, will identify and specify its specific requirements and usages of the CTMS pursuant to specific use cases defined by that party (see Clause 6). ISO/TS 18625 establishes a tiered approach to the CTMS. The tiered approach is described in 5.2 and 5.3. A CTMS in conformance with ISO/TS 18625, provides for interoperability in regard to both data transfer and data interpretation neither of which may be hindered by systems claiming such conformance. The CTMS elements addressed in ISO/TS 18625 include the following: a) a set of requirements for transferring information to and from a container tracking device to/from an automatic data processing systems by, e.g. air interface through RF or optical means; b) data for transmission to/from automatic data processing systems; c) functional requirements necessary to ensure consistent and reliable operation of the CTMS; d) features to inhibit malicious or unintentional alteration and/or deletion of the information content of the CTMS. Specifically excluded from the scope of ISO/TS 18625 is the processing and display of data by the users' information system hereinafter referred to as the Operator Information Management system (OIMS). Also specifically excluded is the specific identification, tracking and monitoring of cargo packed or filled in the container.

ISO 18185-3:2015 specifies test methods and conditions for environmental characteristics of electronic seals. ISO 18185-3:2015 describes the environmental requirements for the ISO 18185 series, for ISO 10374 and for ISO 17363 and for ISO 10891 since it is expected that the implementation of these International Standards will face the same international conditions. However, each of these International Standards has its own unique requirements other than environmental conditions.

ISO 17363:2013 defines the usage of read/write radio-frequency identification technology (RFID) cargo shipment-specific tags associated with containerized freight for supply chain management purposes ("manifest tags"). ISO 17363:2013 defines the air interface communications, a common set of required data structures, and a commonly organized, through common syntax and semantics, set of optional data requirements. ISO 17363:2013: a) makes recommendations about a second generation supply chain tag intended to monitor the condition and security of the freight resident within a freight container; b) specifies the implementation of sensors for freight resident in a freight container; c) makes specific recommendations about mandatory non-reprogrammable information on the shipment tag; d) makes specific recommendations about optional, re-programmable information on the shipment tag; e) makes specific recommendations about the data link interface for GPS or GLS services; f) specifies the reuse and recyclability of the RF tag; g) specifies the means by which the data in a compliant RF tag is "backed-up" by bar codes and two-dimensional symbols, as well as human-readable information.

This International Standard is applicable to freight containers as defined in ISO 668 as well as other associated containers and transport equipment. This International Standard defines how freight container logistic transparency and efficiency can be improved through use of an RFID cargo shipment tag system and an Internet-based software package. Such an RFID cargo shipment tag system can co-exist with, but is separate from, a container security and identification RFID framework using container "license plate" tags, described in ISO 10374 and ISO/TS 10891, and electronic seals ("e-seals"), described in ISO 18185 (all parts). In all cases, operation of and information from ISO/TS 10891 and ISO 18185 devices is independent from the operation and information of the cargo shipment tag and information from these devices is passed in discrete messages that are not routed via the RFID cargo shipment tag.

ISO/TS 10891:2009 establishes: a set of requirements for container tags, which allow the transfer of information from a container to automatic processing systems by electronic means; a data coding system for container identification and permanent related information which resides within a container tag; a data coding system for the electronic transfer of both container identification and permanent related information from container tags to automatic data processing systems; the description of data to be included in container tags for transmission to automatic data processing systems; performance criteria necessary to ensure consistent and reliable operation of container tags within the international transportation community; the physical location of container tags on containers; features to inhibit malicious or unintentional alteration and/or deletion of the information content of container tags when installed on a freight container. It is intended to be applicable to freight containers as defined in ISO 668 as well as to other containers not defined in ISO 668 and container ancillary equipment such as road and terminal chassis, generator sets and power packs . The use of container tags and the equipping of containers for automatic identification are optional. The purpose of ISO/TS 10891:2009 is to optimise the efficiency of equipment control systems and to assist in container security initiatives and programs, including the optional usage of electronic seals in accordance with ISO 18185, and any subsequent International Standard. For this reason, any container tag system used for identifying containers shall be non-proprietary and conform to and be compatible with ISO/TS 10891:2009.

ISO 18185-5:2007 specifies the air interface between electronic container seals and Reader/Interrogators of those seals. It is to be used in conjunction with the other parts of ISO 18185. ISO 18185-5:2007 describes the physical layer for supply chain applications of RFID for freight containers in accordance with the ISO 18185 series and ISO 17363, since it is expected that the implementation of these standards will face the same international conditions. However, each of these standards has its own unique requirements other than the physical layer. It is expected that RFID Freight Container Identification (as specified in ISO 10374 and ISO 17363), and electronic seals (as specified in the ISO 18185 series) will be able to use the same infrastructure, while recognizing that that there may be requirements for different frequencies for passive devices as opposed to the active devices identified in ISO 18185-5:2007.

ISO 18185-1:2007 provides a system for the identification and presentation of information about freight container electronic seals. The identification system provides an unambiguous and unique identification of the container seal, its status and related information. The presentation of this information is provided through a radio-communications interface providing seal identification and a method for determining whether a freight container's seal has been opened. ISO 18185-1:2007 specifies a read-only, non-reusable freight container seal identification system, with an associated system for verifying the accuracy of use, having a seal status identification system, a battery status indicator, a unique seal identifier including the identification of the manufacturer, seal (tag) type. ISO 18185-1:2007 is used in conjunction with the other parts of ISO 18185. It applies to all electronic seals used on freight containers covered by ISO 668, ISO 1496-1 to ISO 1496-5, and ISO 8323. Wherever appropriate and practicable, it also applies to freight containers other than those covered by these International Standards.

ISO 18185-4:2007 specifies requirements for the data protection, device authentication and conformance capabilities of electronic seals for communication to and from a seal and its associated reader. These capabilities include the accessibility, confidentiality, data integrity, authentication and non-repudiation of stored data.

ISO 18185-2:2007 specifies a freight container seal identification system, with an associated system for verifying the accuracy of use, having: a seal status identification system; a battery status indicator; a unique seal identifier including the identification of the manufacturer; a seal (tag) type. ISO 18185-2:2007 is used in conjunction with the other parts of ISO 18185.

The status of annex B changes from informative to normative.

Specifies all necessary user requirements. Includes: a container idenfication system, data coding systems, description of data, performance criteria and security features. Annex A forms an integral part of this standard. Annex B is for information only.

ISO/PAS 18186:2010 specifies how freight container logistic transparency and efficiency can be improved through use of an RFID cargo shipment tag system and an Internet-based software package. Such an RFID cargo shipment tag system can co-exist with, but is separate from, a container security and identification RFID framework using container "license plate" tags, as specified in ISO 10374 and ISO/TS 10891, and electronic seals ("e-seals"), as specified in ISO 18185. In all cases, operation of and information from ISO/TS 10891 and ISO 18185 devices must be independent from the operation and information of the cargo shipment tag and information from these devices must be passed in discrete messages that are not routed via the RFID cargo shipment tag.

ISO 18185-3:2006 specifies the minimum environmental characteristics for electronic seals. ISO 18185-3:2006 describes the environmental requirements for the ISO 18185 series, for ISO 10374 (Freight containers -- RF automatic identification) and for ISO 17363 (Supply chain applications of RFID -- Freight containers), since it is expected that the implementation of these International Standards will face the same environmental conditions. However, each of these International Standards has its own unique requirements other than environmental conditions.

Provides a system for general application for the identification and presentation of information about freight containers. Specifies a identification system with mandatory marks for visual interpretation and optional features for automatic identification and electronic data interchange and a coding system for data on container size and type. Replaces the second edition, which has been technically revised.