DEF STAN 05-132 (UK)
In 2017, the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (UK MoD) implemented Defence Standard 05-132 (Def Stan 05-132) which articulates the standards for the marking of Service Materiel Items using a Unique Item Identifier (UII). As part of UK MoD contract terms and conditions, Defence Condition 644 (DefCon 644) or Defence Condition 528 (DefCon 528) may call out the obligation to “permanently and indelibly” mark an asset in accordance with Def Stan 05-132. This page shows suppliers how to comply with Def Stan 05-132.
The UK MoD established Def Stan 05-132 based on NATO’s Standardization Agreement 2290 (STANAG 2290) which is underpinned by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Military Standard 130 (MIL-STD-130) requirements for Item Unique Identification (IUID).
Def Stan 05-132 is an Item Unique Identification (IUID) system that requires the marking of Service Materiel items in UK MoD inventory. Through the UK MoD contract terms and conditions: DefCon 644 and/or DefCon 528, Def Stan 05-132 requires that assets procured with those Conditions have a permeant and indelible mark which is globally-unique, item-specific identifier prior to receipt.
IUID standards like Def Stan 05-132 ultimately have four parts: data, two-dimensional data matrix, physical mark and registration. To comply with Def Stan 05-132 select a supplier who has an understanding of all four areas of the Standard. For example…
- The data (also referred to as an Unique Item Identifier or UII) must be globally unique. To achieve this each supplier is issued its own unique “Issuing Agency Code” (IAC) which is required to ensure uniqueness within its own supplied items using serial and/or part number. Because of non-duplication of IAC across suppliers, the UID system ensures each procured asset has a globally-unique, asset-specific data is called a Unique Item Identifier (UII).
- The two-dimensional data matrix must be ISO 15434 and for formatted in a very specific alpha-numeric construct.
- The physical mark must be “as permanent and is last the normal life expectancy of the asset and able to withstand the risk of the UII Mark being damaged or detached from an item during its life from expected or foreseeable environmental conditions, maintenance procedures and in-service storage, transport and handling.” All marks should be validated using a verifier or an imager prior to attachment. Verification reports should be retained.
- After marking, the UII associated with the mark must also be registered in the MoD’s UID registry database.
If your item of supply (NATO Stock Number/NSN) already has an marking specification approved by the MoD (search here to see if it does), then you may simply register new UIIs and purchase labels for your upcoming delivery. If your NSN/asset class does not have an approved marking spec, you may apply to have one created here.
The value of Def Stan 05-132 for both the UK MoD and its suppliers is significant. UID is not only a key enabler to the UK Team Defence solution for Assets Subject to Special Controls (ASSC), which primarily is the management of Export Controls assets, for which UID enables compliance with controls such as International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). UID also enables warfighter readiness and safety by giving the sailor, soldier and airman/women access to asset-specific data such as location, ownership, repair history, maintenance instructions and significantly establishes a common data key (i.e. the UII) for information systems to collect, manage and share data related to that serialised asset enabling many more benefits.
To leverage this value from your investment in UID, consider implementing asset management application such as AssetFactor.
Physical Mark Failure:
One of the most common mistakes suppliers make is to affix a plastic or paper label to asset that will see demanding environmental conditions such as sunlight, abrasion or chemical exposure. When the U.S. implemented UID it commissioned a study that evaluated 73 different marking technologies across 8 operating environments. Whether your purchase pre-printed labels or print your own, be certain that you select a material proven to last in whatever conditions your asset will endure. And don’t forget attachment – a durable label with the wrong adhesive will simply fall off – bringing your asset out of compliance.
Improper Data, Format:
Def Stan 05-132 requires your data be both unique and meet certain format requirements within ISO 15434 complaint data matrix mark. A proper Unique Item Identifier (UII) will include the CAGE code, Original Part Number and Serial Number. Although the mark may also contain an NSN and ASSC. The code itself must contain the proper code 06 Data Identifiers, or if agreed by the authority, 05 Application identifiers of 12 Text Element Identifiers. Once encoded in the ISO 15434 complaint data matrix mark, the data must meet formatting requirements of Def Stan 05-132. Here are four examples of compliant data and the associated UII:
| Data String in the UII Mark | Unique Item Identifier (UII) |
| [)>R/S06G/S17VK6111G/S1P103042G/SS22509G/SN5855995139256G/S49PUSML1R/SEoT | DK611110304222509 |
| [)>R/S06G/S12V077991289G/S1P42023435G/SS10936G/SN5855995139987G/S49PUSML1R/SEoT | UN0779912894202343510936 |
| [)>R/S05G/S800465432112345678G/S700158559951392987R/SEoT | 65432112345678 |
| [)>R/S12G/SCAG^K6111G/SPNO^103042G/SSER^22509R/SEoT | DK611110304222509 |
- Inventory Reconciliation ~ we verify data on the assets you already manage for the UK MoD.
- Data Cleansing & Quality Assurance ~ we generate Def Stan 05-132 compliant UID data.
- Label Engineering & Design Specification ~ we develop a Def Stan 05-132 compliant marking specification for your asset class/NSN. Especially valuable when sourcing parts for multiple locations/suppliers.
- Database Registration ~ we submit new asset data into the UK MoD’s UID Registry.
- Label Installation ~ we go on-site to one or more locations to label assets for you.