The Department of Defense (DoD) established MIL-STD-130
which defines certain standard requirements for labeling and identifying all
hardware articles; whether it\'s a discrete single item or single units comprising
a group of subassemblies, components or parts. This standard specifically
addresses the requirements of the U.S. Military; and, it mandates all hardware
be uniquely identifiable by the application of a label marked with
machine-readable characters or numbers which distinguishes any item from every
other item, regardless of similarity or difference. MIL-STD-130 is the generic
term referencing the standard; iterations and changes which significantly alter
MIL-STD-130 are denoted by a suffix appended to the basic standard. For
example, MIL-STD-130N superseded MIL-STD-130M.



As with any MIL-STD document, it is by the nature of its subject matter,
necessarily complex and detailed. Any item of military property which is
produced, stocked, stored, or issued by DoD must be marked in accordance with
MIL-STD-130. It\'s the responsibility of the manufacturer or contractor to
ensure compliance with the marking requirements and methods for human-readable
and machine-readable information (MRI) label content.



MIL-STD-130 is a dynamic standard in the sense that it\'s constantly being
refined to include the latest available marking, labeling, and identification
technologies and eliminate deprecating methodologies and identify methods which
have been overtaken by events or superseded by other specifications.



All equipment defined as an item by MIL-STD-130 must have a Unique Identifier
(UID). Because of the potential of confusion with the three letter acronym, it
is more commonly referred to as an Item Unique Identifier (IUID).



Certain items – such as disposable or limited life items, e.g.,
non-rechargeable batteries – may not require an IUID. Other items that already
have a unique identifier; e.g., manufactured motor vehicles. This does not
preclude the necessity of the item requiring supplemental identification to
make it compliant with MRI technologies.



This standard specifies that some legacy items also be marked. MIL-STD-130
mandates coordination with the organization or activity – referred to
collectively as Enterprise Identifiers, each with a unique EID.



The defense contractor or end-item provider is well-served by using a qualified
subject matter expert. The level of expertise and experience required to
determine that the item is correctly and accurately labeled in accordance with
MIL-STD-130 is a non-trivial task. The best solution to ensure compliance with
MIL-STD-130 is to use the services of a corporation in the business of
manufacturing conforming labels and tags with a known track record of meeting
or exceeding the standards mandated by MIL-STD-130. It is especially
advantageous to use a company which is an acknowledged subject matter expert
that directly contributed to the specifications which became the current
iteration of MIL-STD-130. Due to the complexity of the subject matter, please
contact the experts at Jet City Laser for more information.