DEF(AUST)1000C Compliance Guide
In 2005, the Australian military implemented Australian Defence Standard 1000C which articulates the packing standards for defence items. Part 12 of DEF(AUST)1000C requires most serialized materiel and controlled stores to be marked with a permanent, registered Unique Item Identifier (UII). This includes items currently in use by all branches of the ADF as well as those sold to (or leased by) it. Failure to comply may result in rejection of freight and non-payment for suppliers. According to Defence Technology Review, the ADF is starting to enforce compliance with DEF(AUST)1000C Part 12.
DEF(AUST)1000C creates value for both the ADF and its suppliers. The DEF(AUST)1000C Part 12 compliant UII mark increases the
speed and accuracy of stocktaking, automates maintenance records and supports the reporting requirements of Assets Subject to Special Controls (ASSC), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) and other regulations.
This page provides an outline of how to get in compliance with DEF(AUST)1000C Part 12. If you have questions about how to comply or if your assets come under the requirements of DEF(AUST)1000C, please contact Camcode Global.
What Is DEF(AUST)1000C?
The ADF’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) established DEF(AUST)1000C to standardize the application of Automatic Identification Technology (AIT) to Defence packaging and Defence materiel. The standard addresses the use of barcodes and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). It aligns with NATO’s Standardization Agreement 2290 (STANAG 2290) which defines requirements for Item Unique Identification (IUID).
Assigning and marking each item with a permeant, globally-unique, Unique Item Identifier (UII) allows the ADF to track and trace an unlimited amount of associated information such as configuration, maintenance history, address order number, contents, weight sender, serial batch or lot number.
DEF(AUST)1000C requires that serially tracked assets used by or supplied to the ADF have a permanent and indelible mark which is globally-unique, item-specific identifier prior to receipt. Failure to comply can cause shipment rejection and or non-payment. UII marks are also be referred to as labels, tags or marks.
IUID standards like DEF(AUST)1000C ultimately have four parts: data, two-dimensional data matrix, physical mark and registration. To comply with DEF(AUST)1000C 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 NCAGE code and required to ensure uniqueness within its own supplied items using serial and/or part numbers.
- 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 as the normal life expectancy of the item and be capable of withstanding the environmental test and cleaning procedures specified for the item to which it is affixed.” 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 ADF’s UID registry database.
If your type of item (classed by NATO Stock Number – NSN) already has an marking specification approved by the ADF (search here to see if it does), then you may simply register new UIIs and purchase labels for your upcoming delivery. If your asset type/NSN does not have an approved marking spec, you may request to have one created here.
The value of DEF(AUST)1000C for both the ADF and its suppliers is significant. UID can be used to manage and report requirements of Export Controls such as International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Defense Trade Co-operation Treaty (DTCT). 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. Camcode Global can help you select the right marking technology for your assets. 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.
Improper Data, Format:
DEF(AUST)1000C 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 supplier NCAGE, Original Part Number and Serial Number. Once encoded in the ISO 15434 complaint data matrix mark, the data must meet formatting requirements of DEF(AUST)1000C.
Camcode Global has physically marked and registered over three million assets across 1,000+ NSNs in 15 countries. We currently hold the enabling UID implementation contract for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence and the Australian Defence Force. Camcode Global helps organizations and their suppliers comply with DEF(AUST)1000C through these services:
- Inventory Reconciliation ~ we put hands on assets to verify/cleanse legacy data.
- Data Cleansing & Quality Assurance ~ we generate (and control) compliant UID data.
- Label Engineering & Design Specification ~ we develop marking specifications for your asset classes/NSNs.
- Database Registration ~ we submit new asset data into the UID Registry.
- Label Production & Installation ~ we go on-site to one or more locations to label assets for you.