ISO 17712:2013: ISO Certificates for High Security Seals & ISO History

What does ISO mean?

The term ISO can have different meanings depending on the context in which it is used.
Here are the main ones:
1. International Organization (Standardization)
The most common meaning is the acronym for International Organization for Standardization.
It is the global body that establishes technical standards to ensure that products and services are safe, reliable, and of good quality.
Famous certifications: The best-known is ISO 9001 (quality), but there are also ISO 14001 (environment) and ISO 45001 (occupational safety).
Interesting fact: The name “ISO” is not a perfect acronym in all languages; it was chosen from the Greek isos, meaning “equal,” to indicate that standards make things uniform everywhere.

When was ISO born?

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) was officially established on February 23, 1947.
Its history, however, began a few months earlier:
October 1946: Delegates from 25 countries gathered in London at the Institute of Civil Engineers to discuss the future of international standardization in the postwar era.
Foundation: The delegates decided to create a new international organization to replace the previous ISA (International Federation of National Standardizing Associations), active since 1926 but dissolved during World War II.
First standard: Although the organization was founded in 1947, the first true standard (ISO/R 1:1951 on reference temperatures for industrial measurements) was not published until 1951.

ISO 17712:2013

ISO 17712:2013 is the international standard that defines the requirements for mechanical security seals applied to cargo containers.
It is essential in international trade (especially maritime) to prevent tampering, theft, or unauthorized intrusion.
Seal Classification:
The standard divides seals into three categories based on their physical strength:
Class I (Indicative): Lightweight seals, easy to break by hand or with scissors; they serve only to indicate whether the container has been opened.
Class S (Security): Medium-strength seals, requiring light tools for removal.
Class H (High Security): High-security seals (such as bolt or cable seals), removable only with heavy-duty wire cutters. They are required for many international shipments, including containers bound for the US (C-TPAT requirement).

C-TPAT requirements

The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) requirements are a set of security criteria established by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) to protect the global supply chain from terrorism and smuggling.
Participation in the program is voluntary and requires companies to demonstrate high security standards in exchange for operational benefits, such as fewer customs inspections and faster border clearance.
Minimum Security Criteria (MSC)
To obtain and maintain certification, companies must meet requirements in several key areas:
° Business Partner Security: Written procedures for selecting and monitoring partners (suppliers, carriers, warehouses) based on a risk assessment.
° Container and Transport Security: Systematic container inspections (e.g., 7-point inspection) and use of high-security seals compliant with the ISO 17712 standard.
° Physical Access Controls: Measures to prevent unauthorized access to offices and warehouses, such as identification badges, video surveillance systems (CCTV), and visitor registration.
° Personnel Security: Employee background checks (pre-employment screening) and procedures for revoking leave in the event of dismissal.
° Procedural Security: Written protocols for document management, loading/unloading of goods, and protecting cargo integrity throughout the journey.
° IT Security: Use of regularly updated passwords, individual login credentials, firewalls, and systems for detecting unauthorized access to the corporate network.
° Training and Awareness: Regular training programs for employees to recognize threats, anomalies, or attempted infiltrations within the supply chain.

Mutual Recognition with the EU (AEO)
It is important to note that a mutual recognition agreement exists between the U.S. C-TPAT program and the European Union’s AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) status. This simplifies procedures for companies operating between the two markets.

Main requirements of the 2013 version

ISO 17712:2023 Compared to previous versions, the 2013 update introduced more stringent criteria:
Mechanical Tests (Clause 5): Seals must pass tensile, shear, bending, and impact tests performed by ISO 17025-accredited laboratories.
Tamper Evidence (Clause 6): The seal must be designed so that any attempted opening leaves visible and irreversible traces.
Manufacturer Certification (Annex A): It is not enough for the seal to be resistant; the manufacturer must also demonstrate that it follows rigorous security practices in its business processes to prevent theft of blank seals or cloning.
Identification: Each seal must have a unique identification number and the manufacturer’s logo, as well as the security class marking (e.g., the letter “H”).

Why ISO 17712:2013 H is important

Many shipping companies and customs authorities will not accept containers that are not protected by an ISO 17712:2013 H-certified seal. Using compliant seals helps reduce customs inspection times and protects the shipper’s legal liability in the event of missing goods.

To ensure a seal complies with ISO 17712:2013, simply having the letter “H” written on it isn’t enough. Three key pillars must be verified to ensure the authenticity and durability of the product.
1. Certificates to request from the supplier
To rest assured, you should request the following documents from the supplier:

Clause 5 Certificate (Mechanical Resistance):
A report from an independent laboratory (ISO 17025 accredited) confirming that the physical tests have been passed.

Clause 6 Certificate (Tamper Evidence):
A statement certifying that the seal is designed to show obvious signs of tampering if attempted.

Annex A Certificate (Best Practices):
Proof that the manufacturer follows rigorous security procedures to prevent genuine seals from falling into the wrong hands or being cloned.

Laboratory Tests (Clauses 5 and 6)

“H” (High Security) seals are literally tortured in the laboratory to simulate every possible attack:
Tensile Test: The seal is pulled until it breaks; it must withstand high loads.
Shear Test: Resistance to the blades of large shears is tested.
Bending Test: The nail or cable is bent repeatedly to see if it breaks easily.
Impact Test: The seal is hit at extreme temperatures (even below freezing) to ensure it doesn’t become brittle and shatter.
Tampering Test: Experts attempt to “rip” the seal without breaking it (e.g., using heat or thin tools). If they manage to do so without leaving visible marks, the test fails.

Field verification: the VVTT method

Once the seal is received, customs and logistics operators use the VVTT procedure to ensure everything is in order:

V – View: Check the seal for any abnormal scratches, glue marks, or deformations.
V – Verify: Compare the number on the seal with the one on the packing slip.
T – Tug: Pull firmly to ensure the locking mechanism is properly engaged.
T – Twist: Twist the seal (if it is a screw seal); it should not unscrew or have excessive play.

Who issues the ISO certificate (1/2)

The ISO certificate is not issued directly by the ISO organization (which only writes the standards), but by private entities called Certification Bodies.

Here’s how the chain of command for obtaining a certificate like ISO 17712 or ISO 9001 works:
1. Certification Bodies (Audits)
These are specialized companies (such as RINA, DNV, Bureau Veritas, TÜV, SGS) that send their auditors to the company.
These experts verify that the processes or products (such as security seals) comply with every single point of the standard.
If the outcome is positive, they issue the certificate.
2. Accreditation Bodies (Control)
To prevent anyone from printing fake certificates, certification bodies must also be “authorized.” This authorization is called Accreditation.
In Italy, the only national accreditation body is ACCREDIA.
A certificate is valid internationally only if the issuing body is accredited by a member of the IAF (International Accreditation Forum).

3. Testing Laboratories (for ISO 17712)
In the specific case of ISO 17712 (container seals), the process is twofold:
An ISO 17025-accredited laboratory performs physical tests (tensile, shear, impact) and issues a Test Report.
The Certification Body evaluates the production processes and laboratory reports to issue the final certificate of conformity.

How to tell if a certificate is genuine?

The certificate’s letterhead must contain two logos:
The logo of the auditing body (e.g., TÜV).
The logo of the accreditation body (e.g., ACCREDIA or its foreign equivalent).

How long does an ISO certificate last?

An ISO certificate (such as ISO 9001 or ISO 17712 for business processes) is generally valid for three years.
However, maintaining certification is not automatic and follows a specific cycle to ensure the company continues to comply with the standards:

The Certification Cycle
Year 1 – Certification Audit: This is the initial (more in-depth) exam to obtain the certificate. Once passed, the three-year period begins.
Year 2 – Surveillance Audit: A mandatory annual audit to verify that the system is still active and functioning.
Year 3 – Second Surveillance Audit: Another annual maintenance audit.
Expiration and Renewal: Before the end of the third year, the company must undergo a Renewal Audit (or Recertification). If passed, a new certificate is issued, valid for another three years.

Exceptions and clarifications

Product Test Reports (ISO 17712 Clause 5):
Test reports for mechanical seals do not always have a fixed three-year expiration date like company certificates. However, large logistics operators and customs agencies typically require tests to have been performed within the last two or three years, or whenever the seal design undergoes a change.

Suspension or Revocation:
If during a surveillance inspection, the certification body finds serious deficiencies (major nonconformities) and the company fails to address them, the certificate may be suspended or revoked even before its natural expiration date.

The ISO/IEC 17025 standard

ISO/IEC 17025 is the international standard that defines the requirements for competence, impartiality, and proper operation for testing and calibration laboratories.
Unlike ISO 9001 (which focuses on generic business management), ISO 17025 ensures the technical validity of measurement results.
There is no single “global headquarters” for ISO/IEC 17025, as it is an international standard applied by thousands of testing and calibration laboratories worldwide.
However, the global infrastructure that ensures its mutual recognition is coordinated by international and national bodies.

International Coordinating Bodies
These bodies define the rules for a certificate issued in one country to be valid in another:
ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation): This is the global organization that manages the ILAC Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA). Laboratories accredited by ILAC MRA signatories can have their results recognized internationally.
ISO (Geneva, Switzerland): The headquarters of the International Organization for Standardization, where the standard was developed and is updated.

These bodies define the rules for a certificate issued in one country to be valid in another.

Main National Accreditation Bodies
Each country has a single body (often governmental or publicly controlled) that accredits laboratories according to the ISO 17025 standard:

© 2026 LeghornGroup IT Team 7401-A2859

Load Securing. How to Pack a Pallet.

Creating an optimal shipment requires a strong packaging culture at every stage. Load securing, in terms of stability, is essential to ensure smooth and trouble-free transportation.

Below are all the key steps for proper load securing and understanding how to pack a pallet correctly:
a) Choose suitable cardboard boxes, preferably double-wall cartons, as they are more resistant.
b) The box dimensions must be designed so that the goods inside have no room to move. This optimizes the overall volume of the pallet and the entire load, making the load secure.
c) Use treated pallets. Wooden pallets intended for international trade undergo phytosanitary treatment in order to eliminate any harmful organisms.
d) To ensure proper load securing, palletize the cartons with the goods up to the edges of the pallet, without exceeding the pallet dimensions.
e) Fill any empty spaces with bubble wrap so that the completed pallet is as compact as possible.
f) If necessary, use pallet covers suitable for the type of goods being shipped.
– Standard pallet covers with rings on the lower edges to secure them to the pallet using numbered security seals.
– Thermal pallet covers for goods sensitive to temperature fluctuations.
– Waterproof pallet covers.
g) Pallets loaded onto a vehicle, such as a container, must not have empty spaces between them. Use air-filled dunnage bags to prevent movements that could damage the load.
h) Loaded containers must be sealed with high-security seals certified according to ISO 17712:2013

All these precautions are decisive for load securing and for customer care service, while at the same time helping you avoid being overwhelmed by complaints, emails, and phone calls. A well-structured shipment allows your Brand to be remembered as an example of efficiency and reliability.

Palletizing Goods on a Pallet.

Understanding how to palletize goods correctly allows you to avoid risks during your shipments and ensures that your products arrive intact at their destination.

LeghornGroup has been operating in the logistics sector for many years and has extensive experience in preventing tampering during transportation. In practice, this means making the load as secure as possible. This also requires solid expertise in selecting the most suitable products to achieve proper packaging.

Choosing the Right Pallet.

Since in most domestic and international shipments pallet return is not expected, the best choice is a pallet that is as light as possible so that it does not significantly affect the total load weight, while still being robust enough to withstand impacts and as cost-effective as possible. Both pressed-wood pallets and plastic pallets can be used.
It is absolutely necessary to consider the FAO ISPM 15 regulation, which governs the preparation of wooden packaging materials for international shipments. In addition, each country applies further restrictions to protect its territory from contamination or parasites.
For this reason, using a lightweight plastic pallet may be advisable if you want to avoid the risk of goods being held at customs due to non-compliance with a specific regulation. For shipments with frequent transport cycles, pressed-wood pallets are recommended, as they are slightly more expensive but much more robust than plastic pallets.

How to Position Goods on a Pallet.

When dealing with stacked cardboard boxes, it is always advisable to choose double-wall cartons, as they are more resistant and contribute to better load securing. It is also a good idea to place a sheet of corrugated cardboard on the bottom of the pallet to protect the first layers from moisture and to distribute the weight evenly across the entire pallet surface.
Another important precaution is to place the heaviest boxes at the bottom of the pallet and stack the lighter ones on top. In this way, dangerous collapses are avoided.

It is good practice to position the boxes as close as possible to the edges of the pallet, taking care not to exceed them. This ensures maximum pallet stability and prevents the risk of box breakage or tearing.

It is absolutely important to avoid building a pyramid by placing smaller boxes on top. The best solution is to alternate large and small boxes with the goal of achieving a cube-shaped structure. In practice, load securing is achieved by making every single step as safe as possible.

External Protection of the Pallet.

Once your products have been positioned optimally, you can move on to the protection phase. First of all, wrap any sharp surfaces and edges with bubble wrap or polyethylene rolls.

After that, cover the entire load with stretch film to ensure that the goods are compact. At this point, it is time to use strapping to secure the load to the pallet. A single strap is sufficient when securing one single carton. However, two passes are required when multiple cartons are present.

If you are shipping loose goods or cartons containing small-sized products, the ideal solution is to use corner protectors for strapping. This prevents the straps from damaging the cardboard boxes or the goods themselves.

Pallet Covers.

There are essentially three types of pallet covers:
a) Simple nylon covers with eyelets at the base, used to secure them to the pallet with numbered security seals. These security covers ensure that the goods are not tampered with or stolen during transport.
b) Thermal covers that maintain the thermal stability of the shipped goods for a certain period.
c) Waterproof covers designed to prevent rainwater infiltration that could damage the cartons.

All these types of pallet covers and the related security seals are manufactured by LeghornGroup.

How Pallets Must Be Loaded into Containers

The International Maritime Organization, through circular no. 1497 dated 16/12/2014, specifies how a container must be filled correctly to achieve maximum load security. This regulation aims to prevent damage to the cargo inside the container, which, if shifting, could cause a chain reaction of damage inside the vessel.

Once the pallets have been properly prepared, it is necessary to ensure the stability of the entire container load by eliminating empty spaces between pallets using air-filled dunnage bags. (Air bags)

How to Seal a Container

It is essential to seal the container, regardless of the type of goods inside, using high-security seals such as bolt seals, cable seals, or barrier seals manufactured by LeghornGroup and approved according to ISO 17712 standards. These seals are ideal for containers, trucks, and trailers.
LeghornGroup offers a complete range of high-security container seals that meet the requirements of ISO 17712:2013.

To achieve maximum load securing, it is recommended to use a passive RFID technology seal capable of indicating, upon reading, the condition of the container: open, closed, or tampered. These are the three ESSENTIAL pieces of information required to ensure the correct and secure closure of a container.

Final Checks

Before opening the container, verify that the seal matches the shipping documentation.
Seal model
Color
Numbering
These are the first details to be checked.

It is important to open the container with great care, as the load may have shifted and could fall.

© 2025 LeghornGroup IT Team 7401-A2066

Padlock-type seals with metal wire

Padlockseal 180-1: Padlock seals particularly suitable for airlines. Plastic padlock with shaped steel lock. The Padlock 180-1, padlock seals for catering are among the most robust in the world for the airline catering industry. Separate collection (Metal/Plastic).The closure of these seals is very simple: once the steel wire has passed between the slots to be sealed, it will be locked by inserting it into the free hole of the plastic head of the seal. A good metal cutter is required to remove it.

Padlock type seals completely made of 100% recyclable plastic

Calaide seal: CALAIDE SEAL plastic padlock seals can be used in all those situations where space is really small. These padlock seals are very suitable for airlines and for Duty Free trolleys. The CALAIDE SEAL is among the most secure padlock seals on the market. Their tensile strength is about 3.5 kg. It is 100% recyclable and are made in six standard colors: white, red, green, blue, yellow, orange.

 

Hepha seal: The HEPHA SEAL is a 100% recyclable plastic seal. The free movement of the locking mechanism prevents sticking and allows the integrity of padlock seals to be easily checked. It is applied with simple finger pressure and requires no mechanical tools to remove. They are made in six standard colors: white, red, green, light blue, yellow, orange. Laser printed with customer’s name or logo for clear identification. Barcode for fast, accurate and reliable data collection, streamlining operations.

 

Zete seal: LeghornGroup offers a wide range of seal solutions in the airline and airline catering industry. The Zete seal padlock is among the cheapest on the market. It is very easy to apply and very easy to remove. It can be broken without abrasion to the fingers or broken nails. These air catering seals are 100% recyclable. They are made in six standard colors: white, red, green, light blue, yellow, orange.

 

Aba seal 3×195 mm: The ABA SEAL 3×195 mm air catering seals from LeghornGroup are made of 100% recyclable plastic. Very easy to use, they are self-locking and can be removed very easily without the use of cutting tools; they are made with a side pre-cutting system. It does not damage your fingers in any way and you do not run the risk of breaking your nails. Made in six standard colors: white, red, green, light blue, yellow, orange. Laser printed with customer’s name or logo for clear identification.

 

Twiggy seal 2.2×190 mm: The TWIGGY SEAL for air catering made by LeghornGroup is a 100% recyclable plastic seal. Very easy to use, it is self-locking and can be removed very easily without the use of cutting tools. It does not damage your fingers in any way and you do not run the risk of breaking your nails. Made in six standard colors: white, red, green, light blue, yellow, orange. Laser printed with customer’s name or logo for clear identification.

 

4. How Meter Seals Work

Meter seals function by locking the meter’s access points, making any unauthorized attempt at opening immediately visible. They often feature unique serial numbers, barcodes, or RFID technology to track and verify authenticity. If a seal is broken or missing, it serves as a clear indication of tampering.

5. Applications of Meter Seals

Meter seals are widely used in various sectors, including:

Utility Companies: To secure water, gas, and electricity meters.
Government Agencies: For regulatory compliance and fraud prevention.
Industrial Facilities: To protect utility meters in factories and large-scale operations.
Residential and Commercial Buildings: Ensuring security for individual and collective meter installations.

6. Best Practices for Using Meter Seals

To maximize the effectiveness of meter seals, the following best practices should be followed:

Use High-Quality Seals: Opt for tamper-evident and durable materials.
Regular Inspections: Periodically check seals for signs of damage or tampering.
Proper Documentation: Maintain records of seal serial numbers and installation dates.
Training for Personnel: Ensure utility workers and inspectors are well-trained in handling and identifying seal integrity.

7. Conclusion

Meter seals are an essential component in securing gas and water meters, preventing fraud, and ensuring accurate resource distribution. With advancements in technology, security seals continue to evolve, offering enhanced protection against tampering and unauthorized access. Utility providers and regulatory authorities must prioritize the proper selection and implementation of meter seals to maintain system integrity and public trust.

All the water, gas and electricity utility companies use meters to quantify the energy delivered.
It is necessary to seal the meters to avoid tampering.
Leghorn’s technical team have designed a range of solutions suitable for protecting meters against attempts of tampering.

Our wire seals for meters are reliable, with a good quality/price ratio and available in different colours. The latest security seals for meters are equipped with RFID and NFC tags that can be read though smart phone.