News

Our range of security seals are widely used throughout the supply chain operations of a range of global retail, logistics and transport companies. Our truck security seals are designed with a number of key features to improve their tamper-evidence and ease of use in the real world. In this post we outline five things to look out for when procuring a security seal... make sure you keep a step ahead of the fraudsters and protect your cargo properly!

Superior Locking Action

One known way fraudsters will try to evade tamper detection is to close the seal but not fully engage the locking mechanism, making re-opening possible in the case of poorly designed seals. Our DoubleLock seal is designed with this in mind, informing a user when correctly sealed in two ways. Our locking mechanism makes an audible ‘click’ sound once sealed, so that you know the twin locking chamber is engaged. Secondly, the tail protrudes visibly through the locking chamber (see image). This provides an instant indication to legitimate users that the seal has been sealed; useful if you are checking multiple seals on a cargo load as it leaves your distribution centre. Once sealed, the locking chamber allows for a small movement of the tail within the chamber – giving you the certainty that the seal is actually sealed, rather than simply cut and re-glued back in place (fraudsters can be tricky...!)

Break-by Hand Design

Unlike some other products in the market, our DoubleLock seal has a break-by-hand design & does not require the use of any tools to cut. Whilst break-by-hand is not always appropriate for certain loads (and we have a guide on that too!), in most cases where only indicative security is required it is beneficial to allow legitimate users to remove the seals quickly. Break-by-hand seals ensure that a security seal does not act as an impediment to the efficiency of your logistics operations – seals can be broken efficiently once a truck or trailer has reached its destination, often when cutting tools are not to hand! This encourages positive workforce adoption – security seals should not hinder operations day-to-day, ensuring that staff are happy to use seals regularly and consistently… no excuses!

Designed For Truck Security

Whilst being easily broken by hand at the end of journeys, the DoubleLock has a ‘fixed-length design' rather than a ‘pull-through’ design. This is an important distinction so bear with us…! The problem with pull through seals for trailer doors is that they can be sealed tightly around locking hasps, meaning that they can break in transit. Trailers and their doors in particular move a lot whilst in transit… (think potholes!), and if the seal is sealed too tightly around a locking hasp then it is prone to break... not ideal at 60Mph! Crucially from a security perspective… if a consignment arrives without a seal, how do you know what happened to the consignment and its cargo on its journey? Our DoubleLock Security seals hang loose on the locking hasps, and cannot be pulled too tight. This limits the possibility that seals are broken accidently during the bumps and knocks of transport, meaning that the seal arrives intact, every time.

Standard or Custom Laser-Markings

Generally security seals will be marked with a sequential number, acting as a unique identifier noted on consignment manifests when trucks are loaded. Security seals can be marked in various ways (and we have a guide for that too). The best method of marking is generally laser-print… as the laser physically etches & permanently marks the plastic. Markings cannot be scratched off or removed using solvents or other methods of attack. Other types of seal markings can be scratched off – something which fraudsters will use to disguise the fact that a replacement seal has been used on the truck load. If a crucial number has been scratched away from the plastic, how can you be sure that the number was the same as when it left the depot? Our seals are laser-marked as standard - and available in our UK warehouse for quick despatch for your immediate needs. We can also create a bespoke solution for you – with your own markings, number / barcode sequences etc, continued across ongoing orders.

Sustainability

We know of course, that our security seals should be sustainable as well as secure. Our seals are manufactured from 100% recyclable plastics, and we are taking a number of steps to reduce our carbon footprint now and in the future. As a business we now minimise the use of single-use plastic packing bags and instead pack directly into sustainably-produced cardboard cartons, printed with a handy guide on how to appropriately dispose of seals at the end-of-life. We are also in the process of testing new forms of recycled-content and zero-carbon plastics for incorporation into our production (more news on this soon!)

So that’s it… the best indicative truck and trailer security seals should have the following key features:

• superior locking action
• break-by-hand design
• fixed-length configuration
• laser-marking
• sustainable manufacturing

Easy when you know how! 😊 To discuss your needs today, don’t hesitate to send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 01829 760000, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter below, and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest news and updates.

Tote box seals are used in their millions every year across logistics operations in the UK, but plain plug seals simply don’t provide the security and audit trail that is so critical in logistics. Sealing your crates and tote boxes with barcoded seals (or other customised markings) gives you the certainty that sealed items remain free from interference.

Barcoded tote box seals are increasingly used so that operations teams can securely scan crates in and out whilst handling inventory and other items. Our new CrocLoc tote box seal are barcoded as standard, and are available in the UK today.  Alternatively, CrocLoc are fully customiseable to suit your particular needs.

CrocLoc are available in white with sequential barcoding from our UK warehouse, or alternatively in pastel yellow, pastel blue and red colours to suit your needs.

Our CrocLoc tote box seals are produced in mats of 6pcs - allowing for printing with bespoke markings, paired number sequencing, logos and other company or operational-specific info.

Plug seals are available to buy online - or alternatively please don't hesitate to email us for a bespoke quotation based on your needs. 

The Sales Team, Universeal UK.

Export Health Certificates

As part of the post-Brexit trade agreement concluded between the UK and EU, export health certificates (EHC’s) are required for the export of products of animal origin from Great Britain to EU member states. An Export Health Certificate is a document confirming that an export consignment has been checked and certified by an Official Veterinarian (OV) or Certification Support Officer (CSO) to be compliant with relevant sanitary regulations, so that live animals and/or products of animal origin can be exported. Each export consignment must be accompanied with an EHC demonstrating certification.

Security Seals

Instructions issued by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) recommends sealing each consignment or group of consignments with a security seal, and to record the seal on the corresponding EHC.

Security seals are tamper-proof and uniquely numbered security devices used to provide evidence of chain of custody, or otherwise show evidence of tampering in the event that they are opened whilst in transit.

The APHA Instructions recommends that security seals are used to seal the consignment under the supervision of the certifying officer, who can then record the unique seal number on the EHC. Seal numbers cannot be added or amended on an EHC once signed and stamped by the certifying officer. Border control staff can then use a seal check as an ‘identity check’ without having to open up each individual consignment – although more detailed physical checks will sometimes be undertaken. The type of enclosure onto which the seal is applied will depend on the precise scenario in question, but can range from the sealing of individual cartons and palletised cargo, to the sealing of a road trailer containing multiple consignments of products of animal origin.

Universeal UK offers different types of security seals to suit the type of enclosure being sealed, as below:

1)      Pallet and Carton Security

Our StrapSecure Pallet Security seal is a unique security device used to seal pallets and large cartons by protecting the pallet strapping which is commonly used to secure cargo onto pallets or within cardboard packaging.

Each StrapSecure consists of an aluminium cross-plate and Flexigrip cable seal with matching identity / security number, which can be used to the seal the intersection of pallet banding placed around each side of a pallet or large cardboard carton. Once sealed in place, the StrapSecure prevents the pallet strapping from being slid off the pallet and replaced, ensuring that the cargo arrives without being tampered with, or its contents removed / replaced.

Each pallet security seal is uniquely numbered and barcoded, and once the cargo is secured under the supervision of the certifying office, the corresponding security number can be recorded on the Export Health Certificate as evidence of the integrity of the export consignment. As discussed above, this can assist border control officers by enabling them to make a faster ‘identity check’ of a sealed consignment. This can help you as a food business by assisting in the smooth processing of export consignments, helping to deliver fragile, often perishable cargo more quickly and without unnecessary disturbance or delay.

In addition, we also supply a range of security labels and tape for the sealing of cartons. Security carton / box tape is tamper-evident, leaving a void message on the carton upon removal, providing secure chain of custody for even small consignments. Security tape can be supplied in pre-printed, sequentially numbered or custom formats. Sequential numbers can be printed at regular intervals along each reel of security tape, providing security identification numbers which could also be recorded on Export Health Certificates by the certifying officer, subject to approval of relevant agencies.

2)      Trailer and Container Security Seals

For the sealing of larger multiple consignments whilst in the transport network, we supply indicative and high-security metal seals. These types of seals provide security to the mode of transport itself, in particular road trailers and rail cars, shipping containers and air cargo containers. Our Globe metal strip seals, Flexigrip 150M cable seals, and Locktainer 2020 bolt seals are all accepted by HMRC / customs officials as an accepted trader seal, meaning that they have been tested and found to be sufficiently tamper-evident across border points. Further information can be found in Government Notice 205

Please contact us to discuss how our security seals can help you in delivering your cargo smoothly and without delay.

On 1 January 2021 the United Kingdom and European Union will finally end the transitional period and the UK will leave the EU Single Market, marking the end of the Brexit process. The departure of the United Kingdom will mean the re-introduction of a customs border between the UK and the  EU for the first time since 1973, and this will have major impacts for all businesses importing and exporting goods which cross the new border from start of 2021.

One impact of Brexit and the reintroduction of the customs border will be the increased use of security seals to maintain the integrity of supply routes between the two customs zones, and traders should take care to ensure that all security seals procured are of the appropriate classification and certification which will be required by both UK and EU customs agencies after Brexit.

UK Government Guidance, as stated in HMRC Notice 205 available here, requires that all goods being exported are sealed with customs seals and/or trader seals, as will be the case for UK-EU movements from 1 January 2021. Additionally, goods being transported under the Common Transit Procedure will also require a security seal, which will apply for goods being transported through the UK Land bridge between the Republic of Ireland and the rest of the EU.

Both UK and EU agencies will require that security seals used for customs controlled movements are of the requisite standard to be an effective barrier to intrusion. These standards are laid down by the globally recognised International Standard (ISO) No 17712: 2013 ‘Freight containers - Mechanical Seals’. ISO17712 sets out three classifications of security seal: INDICATIVE, SECURITY, and HIGH SECURITY, and broadly each classification in turn adds increasing requirements in terms of the strength, anti-tamper technologies and security measures which security seals and their manufacturers should adopt.

As a major manufacturer and distributor of security seals since 1992, Universeal UK has been at the forefront of the development of ISO17712 security seals, and we supply a complete range of Indicative, Security and High-Security seals that are suitable for sealing cargo after Brexit.

Our strongest ISO17712: High Security ‘H’ and C-TPAT compliant security seals are recommended for use when sealing shipping containers globally, and comprise the following products:

- Locktainer 2020 Bolt Seal for sealing shipping containers
- Flexigrip 325M Cable Seal  for vehicles doors and shipping containers
- Fork Seals for extra strength for high-value shipments

Our ISO 17712 ‘S’ Security Seals are seals exceeding 2.27 Kilonewton break strength, and they are a flexible solution for sealing of vehicle doors, air cargo containers and IBC’s:-

- Flexigrip 250M Cable Seals

Finally our ISO 17712 ‘I’ Indicative Security Seals still provide a high-level of security for vehicle doors, securing curtain siders via TIR / tilt cords, and rail wagons:-

- Globe Security Seals
- Flexigrip 150M Cable Seals

Additionally, three of our products have also been specifically tested and accepted by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) as suitable Notice 205 customs seals. This means they have been rigorously tested in their design, construction and secure anti-tamper features to ensure that they are resistant to known attempts to defeat security seals and so gain unauthorised access to sealed road, rail and sea freight cargo whilst in transit and during customs handling.

Our range of testing and acceptance certification gives UK and EU importers and exporters the certainty that they are using tested and approved security seals that will help ensure that ongoing international trade is as frictionless as possible. Our Locktainer 2020SH bolt seal, FlexiGrip 150M cable seal and Metal Globe metal strip seal have all been added onto the HM Revenue & Customs sealing acceptance list as appropriate sealing devices for Customs purposes:

The specific acceptance of the above seals as HMRC Customs accepted seals, in addition to the certification under ISO17712, give both UK and EU traders further comfort that Universeal security seals provide a high degree of compliance for the new ‘facts on the ground’ that will apply on 1 January 2021. We would recommend that all importing and exporting companies are mindful of these new requirements after Brexit, and that they take a lead in procuring security seals which meet these standards. All freight entering or leaving the UK should be sealed with accepted trader seals to ensure the minimum amount of disruption during customs handling after Brexit.

The use of approved ISO17712 and HMRC customs-accepted security seals provide you with greatest certainty possible that your cargos are sealed compliantly, and will not be the cause of unnecessary delays at the new border on 1 January.

Please call for more information on our range of Brexit security seals, and to discuss your needs with us.

Our Infection Control Range includes Floor Warning Tapes, Advisory Notices, Hand Sanitisers and Colour-Coded Tags... Helping you to Secure Your Workplace against Covid 19

During this difficult time, some of the most effective ways to keep people safe are also the simplest. Our infection control range of warning tapes, low-tack infection control tapes, floor stickers, colour-coded ties and Covid 19 advisory posters help to communicate critical health and safety guidance to your customers, employees and visitors.

We are also now supplying a liquid hand sanitiser product, specially formulated with 75% alcohol content as approved by WHO, to keep your people safe.

WHO-approved Liquid Hand Sanitiser	Social Distancing Warning Tape	Low-Tack Infection Control Tape

Floor Warning Stickers	A3 Advisory Adhesive Posters	Colour-coded Cleaning Tags

All of our product ranges can be customised to your requirements, so please contact us on 01829 760000 or [email protected] if you have particular requirements.

Small and easy to apply, the UNI520 Padlock seal provides a tamper proof sealing solution for medical kits, cabinets, trolleys & more

The UNI520 Padlock seal is an all-in-one moulded security seal, suitable for use on medical cabinets, trolleys and kits to indicate the integrity of the sealed contents. For example, the seal serves as a quick visual guide to indicate that medical kits are fully stocked and do not require replenishing, or that equipment has been used and requires decontamination. They are small security devices, easily applied and removed by hand, giving you a simple and user-friendly method to increase security in your organisation or supply chain.

The UNI520 is available in three colours from our UK warehouse (red, blue and green colours), pre-marked with sequential numbering for unique seal application every time. We are also able to customise the UNI520 with your own colour or print requirements, including bespoke organisation information, logos, number ranges and barcoding. 

Please visit the product page here to buy online, or give us a call on 01829 760000 or email [email protected] to discuss your security seal needs today.

Security seals can be marked in a number of different ways with a variety of print methods, incorporating company names, logos, sequential numbering and barcoding.  Most commonly, our production facilities use laser, thermal transfer or hot-stamp print methodologies to print plastic security seals.

Security Seal Marking Types

Each marking type brings its own advantages and disadvantages, and is suited to particular types of application. We categorise these marking types into three tiers of security: HIGH, STANDARD, BASIC:-

SECURITY SEAL Marking Type	ILLUSTRATION	Printing Resistance	BarcodE?	Logo	Colours
Laser Printed Security Seals		SECURITY LEVEL: HIGH Resistant to solvents, scratching and abrasion	Yes	Yes	Best contrast on pale colours
Hot Stamp Printed Security Seals		SECURITY LEVEL: STANDARD Resistant to alcohol and scratching. Medium resistance to solvents	No	Yes (print block required)	All colours
Thermal Transfer Printed Security Seals		SECURITY LEVEL: BASIC Resistant to scratching but not all solvents or alcohol	Yes	Yes	All colours

Choosing the Best Security Seal Marking

When choosing the most suitable print method for your security seals, it is important to take into consideration the application of the seal - how it will be used and handled; for how long will it be in use; and in what kind of environments the security seal will be expected to perform. For example, a seal intended for outdoor use would require the most resistant laser marking to ensure resistance to the elements, including UV light emitted by the sun, temperature changes and moisture.

Conversely, for barcode readability on a security seal being used inside or in darker environments, thermal transfer print provides the best contrast and barcode scan-rates, although thermal print can degrade if the seal is likely to come into contact with solvents or abrasion. In this case laser-print barcoding is an option, although we recommend printing on pale colours only to ensure the barcode scan-rates remain high.

Another option, available on particular models of printed identification cable ties and plastic security seals, is hot-stamping (also known as hot-foil engraving). Hot-foil prints are indelible, and have medium resistance to chemicals or solvents – they are particularly suited to printing on products which are more difficult to laser-print effectively, such as nylon cable ties and security seals. Hot-stamping is also particularly suited for applications in which users wish to hand-write on the security seal, as hot-stamped white areas can be easily written on using a variety on pens and permanent markers.

Customised Security Seals - Bespoke Features Available

Customising your security seals provides increased security, as seals are more difficult to replace or replicate when they have distinctive features, such as stylised logo prints, bespoke text or are manufactured in particular colour shades. We outline below some of the most popular customiseable features, and how they can assist in improving your security, operational efficiency and corporate branding:-

fEATURE	Example	DESCRIPTION
Bespoke Alphanumeric Text and Number Sequences		Purchasing seals with your own bespoke text and number ranges allows you to have greater control of the quantity and number of seals used within your organisation. For example, you can allocate particular markings or number ranges to particular departments or groups of users. This can bring you greater security benefits, by identifying weak points of your supply chain more visibly. Universeal UK can assist in this process as we maintain a complete audit control of all seal markings and numbers produced, and we reserve particular markings to particular companies.
Barcoding and other types of encoding for tracebility		Machine readable barcodes, data matrices etc can increase the speed of logistics operations, as well as reducing the possibility for human error. Barcodes are easily integrated within your wider IT infrastructure. We can produce codes in the most common standards, including Code 128, 39, Interleaved 2/5 and so on.
Wide choice of colour shades		Many of our seals are available in upto eight colour options, meaning that you can choose a colour which fits your organisation branding, or use colour-coding for particular operational needs or consignments, such as 'Goods In' Seals, 'Outbound' Seals, 'Return to Depot' Seals, and so on. Colours are often used to denote periods of operation - meaning you can periodically change seal colours to maintain the security of your supply chain.
Logos and other symbols / visual elements		We can recreate high-resolution logos to create a visually pleasing and difficult-to-replicate customised security seal. Additionally it is also possible to mark other visual elements on seals, such as operational warning or operational symbols, where your security seals are also communicating information to stakeholders.
White write-on patches		Many of our security seals can be produced with a white write-on face, which can provide a better contrast for handwritten information. White write-on faces can also be written on with rollerball or 'biro' style pens, which do not work on plastic.
Print Layouts / Templates		Some of our security seals (such as our Tracewaste Security Seal and Uniflag Security Seal) have large enough printable paddle areas that we can print in multiple areas and in different configurations. We can set out certain types of information required, leaving space for handwritten information - for instance 'DEPARTMENT', 'CHECKED BY' or 'DATE OF INSTALL'. We also print our seals and identificatoin ties with a calendar style layout - particular months or years can be punched out of the plastic, permanently recording the information without the need for laborious handwritten information.
Counterpart Security Number labelling		Duplicate, numbered counterpart labels are a useful and simple way to provide receipts to customers, or to record seal numbers against filed security seal log books, manifests or other paperwork. Counterpart labels are available on our SecureLock ST security seal models as standard- for other models MOQ's may apply.
Paired markings / Duplicate set security seals		Many applications require the use of multiple security seals for effective sealing, not just one. To provide some examples, curtain sided vehicle trailers may be sealed at multiple points to maintain security; crates / tote boxes can be sealed at both ends; and industrial valves or hatches may have multiple points of access.In these scenarios, it can be preferable to use multiple seals printed with one common security seal number. This makes it easier to record the seal number against seal records, and also encourages the operative applying the seal to use the appropriate number of seals for the application. We can assist by printing security seals in duplicate, triplicate etc - seals are marked together on a mat for ease of application and sealing.
Customised embossed Pliers		Some of our simple meter and wire seals, such as lead seals or plastic meter seals used on meters, are used in conjuction with sealing pliers. These sealing pliers can be customised with bespoke dies in the plier jaws - these embossed dies leave an impression of the crushed surface of the meter seal, providing you with an identification symbol

If you require help choosing the most suitable security seal for your application (or the best marking type or customisation feature for your chosen seal), please get in touch with us on 01829 760000 to discuss.

Universeal UK Team.

Protecting your interests whatever the Brexit forecast! Universeal UK gains Notice 205 HMRC customs acceptance for range of security seals 

Following recent re-testing, we are pleased to announce the certification of three Universeal UK security seals for acceptance by HM Revenue & Customs as suitable Notice 205 customs seals. This means they have been rigorously tested in their design, construction and secure anti-tamper features to ensure that they are resistant to known attempts to defeat security seals and so gain unauthorised access to sealed road, rail and sea freight cargo whilst in transit and during customs handling.

This will enable UK and European traders to use Universeal UK accepted seals in relevant circumstances as specified in HMRC customs guidance. With the continuing uncertainty regarding the status of the border between the UK and EU member states after Brexit, the use of accepted customs seals is one way to mitigate the risks of a hard border. It will also help to ensure that ongoing international trade is as frictionless as possible: our Locktainer 2020SH bolt seal, FlexiGrip 150M cable seal and Metal Globe metal strip seal have now all been added onto the HM Revenue & Customs customs sealing acceptance list as appropriate sealing devices for Customs purposes.

The Security Seal Testing Authority (SSTA) arranges independent testing of seals under criteria laid down in the European Community’s Regulations 2454-93 Article 386 Annex 46a, together with the Security Seal Specification SSIA-98-A.  H M Revenue & Customs categorize security seals into 3 groups:

Group 1: High-Security Barrier Seals

Barrier Security seals that can withstand a tensile test of 1000kgs and which have the unique reference number marked on each component in the case of two piece seals. Our Locktainer 2020 bolt seal is now Group 1 HMRC customs accepted.

Group 2: Security Barrier Seals

Barrier security seals that can withstand a tensile test of 250kgs, together with those two piece seals which, although capable of meeting the physical criteria laid down under Group 1, only have the unique number on one part. Our Flexigrip 150M cable seal is now Group 2 HMRC customs accepted.

Group 3: Indicative Security Seals

Indicative security seals, where strength is not considered a determining factor. Our Globe security seal is now Group 3 HMRC customs accepted.

Summary of Classifications

Group 1                Locktainer 2020SH Bolt Seal (also ISO17712:2013 & USA C-TPAT-approved)

Group 2                FlexiGrip 150M Cable Seal

Group 3                Globe Metal Strip seal

These models are stock items available for despatch from our UK.

In the run up to Brexit and the concerns surrounding no deal scenarios and possible delays at borders, we would recommend all freight entering or leaving the UK to be sealed with accepted trader seals to ensure the minimum amount of disruption during customs handling. The use of approved security seals which reach appropriate quality standards will also help to protect your cargos should delays cause trailers or shipping containers to be held at checkpoints or whilst stationary in queuing traffic.

The current HM Revenue Customs list is available under Notice 205, available on UK government website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-205-official-customs-seals-and-trader-sealing/notice-205-official-customs-seals-and-trader-sealing

Please call for more information or to discuss your security seal requirements with us.

Universeal UK pioneers biodegradable security seals 

Universeal UK has begun incorporating environmentally-friendly plastic technologies into our plastic security seals to mitigate against the environmental hazards of single-use plastics.

Awareness of the environmental damage caused by single-use plastics, especially in our rivers, lakes and oceans, has rightly taken centre-stage in the public consciousness in recent years. Whilst most security seals are manufactured from materials which are 100% recyclable, the difficulty of responsibly recycling security seals which might travel all over the world with their cargos has presented a major challenge for the security seal industry.

Formulating single-use plastics which can properly degrade into harmless by-products has been a major goal of the industry, but has been a technical challenge to solve. Whilst supposedly “biodegradable” and environmentally-friendly “green” plastic security seals have been around for years, unfortunately the materials they are made from have not always been the cure-all which some would claim.

The problem with many supposed green plastics is that they can actually contribute to the problem of plastic waste. For instance, “oxo-degradable” plastics have actually contributed to the problems of micro-plastics in recent years, and have been banned through many parts of the world. Similarly, other supposedly green “compostable” plastics only actually bio-degrade in special industrial composting facilities, which break the plastic down by using a combination of oxygen and heat. However, this means that if the plastic goes to normal landfill (of which around 80% of plastic still does) it will not biodegrade, as in such landfills there is not enough oxygen or heat to do the job of breaking the plastic down. The plastic therefore continues to persist for many hundreds or thousands of years in landfill. Alternatively, they are simply burnt and thereby release the carbon and other damaging substances which any other type of plastic would do. A further serious problem with these types of compostable plastics is that they cannot be recycled along with other types of conventional plastic – meaning that they can potentially cause more harm than good.

Over the last few years Universeal UK has been monitoring the development of technologies which can provide a better solution for single-use security seals. We are pleased to report that we have identified a revolutionary type of additive which can be incorporated into plastic security seals and can successfully biodegrade the plastic in the environments in which discarded security seals are commonly found: our landfill sites, or even worse, our oceans. The additive - which can be added to conventional plastic without affecting its properties - acts to break down the plastic even in anaerobic environments, once exposed to the types of bacteria commonly present in all types of conventional landfills, oceans and streams.

Once in contact with this bacteria, plastics can start breaking down as quickly as 30 days from their time of entering into the environment – this is in contrast to conventional plastic which persists for hundreds if not thousands of years. Test reports are showing that on average biodegradation is 200 times faster with the additive. By-products left behind are humus and methane (bio-mass and bio-gas), which are non-toxic; humus can actually be used as new soil to grow plants, and methane may be harvested into fuel. Independent third-party tests have shown that the additive conforms to ASTM 5511 testing standards, which is an internationally-recognised measure of biodegradation in anaerobic conditions prevalent in landfill environments. Reports showing biodegradation rates for particular samples are available upon request.

We are now offering production of the below security seal models with inclusion of special biodegradable Biosphere additive:-

	TabLOCK 20cm and 30cm     Multipurpose security seal available in two lengths, with/without tear-line... now available with Biosphere biodegradable additive.
	UNI411 Security Seal       Multipurpose security seal for roll cages, trucks and trailers... now available with Biosphere biodegradable additive.
	UNI412 Security Seal        Our strong pull-though security seal for cash bags, mail sacks, waste sacks, trucks.. now available with Biosphere biodegradable additive
	Uniflag Security Seal             Large flagged security seal, suitable for mail, industrial and labelling applications... .. now available with Biosphere biodegradable additive

Biodegradable, environmentally-friendly and recyclable security seals will help you to reduce your use of conventional environmentally-damaging single-use plastics in your supply chain.

In addition to biodegradable security seals, we are now offering another environmentally-friendlier, lower carbon solution for your security seals - seals manufactured from recycled content plastic material, with at least 30% of plastic material coming from post consumer recycling sources. Please read our blog here to further information. Our range of sustainable security seal solutions is shown here, showing both our recycled-plastic content and biodegradable security seal options.

Please contact us at [email protected] to discuss your requirements and how we can help your business to improve the impact of its operations around the world.