The IUID marking system is not a mere process of providing unique identification to the items to keep track, but it is a strategic process developed by the Department of Defense to increase traceability of the items, reduce burden of the workforce and provide reliable accountability of the property.



The important aspects of the IUID marking are discussed below.

IUID Marking Requirements

The data required for the IUID marking can be classified into two categories- firstly, the physical marking of the parts with unique identification and secondly, the set of data associated with each IUID marked part. The requirement instruction of IUID marking for the contractors state that the marking should comply with the MIL-STD-130 standard. It is also necessary that the marking methodology, syntax and construct type should be clearly mentioned in the document. Generally, nameplates are preferred over direct part marking and direct part marking is considered in case the size and environment of the part is not suitable for the use of labels.

Applicability

The IUID marking is required on the

?item with unit acquisition cost more than $5000

?serially managed embedded items of DoD

?serially managed, mission critical, controlled inventory of DoD

?other items that require unique identification

The items are provided with alternate, primary or substitute part number configuration by the contractors if they are not subjected to IUID requirements.

Once the IUID marking are applied to the specified item, all the deliveries of the same kind of item shall require IUID part marking. The items may include any deliverable or specified items to the DoD. The IUID marking shall be applied consistently on the items, and the methodology and location of the marking shall remain same for the item part number and manufacturer.

Item Packaging and IUID Marking

The contractors are required to follow an external marking and authorized packaging requirement for the items delivered to DoD. The contractors are also instructed to apply the IUID marking on the outside of the deliverable packaging in case the

?The items can't be part marked physically

?There is insufficient space on the item

?There is a risk of deleterious effect to the part or item

The IUID labels used on the packaging of the items can be of materials that are used for external packaging and can be of any appropriate size for the packaging. In such type of marking, the proximity of the UID labels are taken into consideration

Quality Assurance

The contractors and the suppliers are responsible for the quality of each IUID marking and should ensure that they meet the standard of MIL-STD-130. Before making it to UID registry, each item and the UID labels are digitally scanned and inspected for acceptance. Items with IUID that doesn't qualify the MIL-STD-130 standard are rejected. At the time of product presentation some additional inspections are performed on the IUID marking for the products.

Apart from the above mentioned aspects, IUID marking equipments, configuration management, data submittal requirements, pricing instruction etc. are the other aspects of IUID marking.