Mil-std-130l & Mil-std-130n: How Will the Revisions Affect You

 identification information of another item and
MIL-STD-130L is the most fundamental itemaffixed to that other item. A label may be of any
identification marking standard by which markingsimilar or different material than that of the item
requirements for different products can beto which it is affixed.” This essentially means
developed during design activity. The Departmentthat a label (data plate, name plate, ID plate, etc)
of Defense uses MIL-STD-130L as a standardcan now be made of a metallic or non-metallic
norm primarily for acquisition of military material.material. Besides, the labels can be affixed to the
Moreover, MIL-STD-130L is also used by otheridentified item by any proper means. According to
government agencies for conduct similar activities.the MIL-STD-130N, the UID will now be limited to
As a matter of fact, MIL-STD-130L standard is50 characters only.
being widely used in the non-governmentThe new UID standard MIL-STD-130N has also
industries for developing company specific markingmodified the definition of Validation as follows:
guidance for their items. MIL-STD-130L is the“Confirmation by examination and provisions
latest edition (revision L) incorporates andof objective evidence that the particular
implements the DoD Unique Identification (UID)requirements for a specific intended use have
policy issued 29th July, 2003. The latest editionbeen fulfilled; that all requirements have been
also applies to the area of machine-readableimplemented correctly and completely and are
marking by offering a comprehensive guidance astraceable to system requirements.”
this technology standard continues to developBesides, the MIL-STD-130N defines Verification as
beyond commonly recognized bar code protocols.follows: “Confirmation by examination, and
MIL-STD-130N:provisions of objective evidence, that the item
MIL-STD-130N is the latest version ofidentification marking requirements specified in this
MIL-STD-130 (with version N) which was releasedstandard and the associated contract have been
on 17th December, 2007. The change will notfulfilled.”
affect the interpretation of different UID codingThese sections are extremely critical as they put
requirements such as labels, validation andthe onus on the contractor to be able to prove
verification. The new MIL-STD-130N standardthat the UID labeling meets the requirements of
defines Label as “An item marked with thethe Standard.