Basic Background Information Regarding MIL-STD-130

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 For example, MIL-STD-130N superseded MIL-STD-130M.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technologies and eliminate deprecating methodologies and identify methods which have been overtaken by events or superseded by other specifications.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.