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.

Security has never been so fashionable! Protect online sales with a returns policy protected by security seals 

The growth of online fashion retail as a global trend continues, as customers increasingly enjoy the benefits of free, no-hassle returns when their purchases prove to be not to their liking – be that for reasons of fit, design or buyer’s regret.

However this also presents online retailers with a challenge; how can they stop the more unscrupulous consumer from wearing an item once or multiple times, only to then return the item with the clothing tag in place for a full return or exchange? Conventional clothing tags are small, unobtrusive designs which can easily be tucked inside the garment, pockets or in other ways hidden whilst being worn. Additionally, tags are generally attached with simple, low-cost ball ties or other plastic fasteners which are easily purchased online and replaced by buyers themselves.

Retailers are increasingly deciding to despatch online items such as clothes, hand-bags and other garments with true security seals such as the Universeal TabLOCK seal, UNI416 or UNI414 security seal. Security seals feature sophisticated tamper-evident locking chambers which are resistant to attempts to open the seal without destroying the seal, preventing its reinstatement.

Universeal security tags feature large and prominent paddles which can be custom-printed and branded with your logo and text to convey your brand identity and advise users that a garment cannot be returned if the tag is removed. The security tag can then be sealed through prominent garment or handbag buckles, loops, button-holes or other features in such a way that it is not possible for consumers to realistically wear or use the item without first removing the security seal from its prominent position.

Using pull-through security seals as branded clothing return tags in this way serves to provide online retailers with a security check not available with standard clothing tags. It also acts to discourage unscrupulous purchasers who may be tempted to otherwise return items for which they are not legally entitled to a refund. It therefore helps online retailers to provide legitimate buyers with the option to return items with which they are genuinely unhappy, but prevent those looking to gain ‘something-for-nothing’ from taking advantage of no-hassle returns policies.

Universeal is a manufacturer and distributor of a wide range of security seals, security labels, tamper-evident packaging and identification fasteners in logistics, retail and across industry. Please give us a call on 01829 760000 or email us [email protected] to discuss your security needs with us.

Universeal UK supplies a wide range of specialist tamper-evident carton, crate and pallet security products which can give you an edge in the protection of your supply chain and delivery of product to your customers. Our new Snap 'N' Secure product provides an ingenious and innovative method of securely encasing and protecting pallet crimps used to secure pallet straps. Our range of standard security tape and customised security tapes (from 36 rolls+) can be used on a range of cartons, crates and pallet as a cost-effective and easily applied security measure to inhibit attempts at tampering. Branded packaging tape can also give you an indication as to whether cartons have been opened and accessed, and can also provide an effective way of raising your company profile. Finally, security plug seals offer a simple and effective sealing option for packing creates or ALC's ("attached lid containers"). 

Below is an overview of the main categories of product which may assist those looking for additional methods to ensure products, assets and equipment arrived at destination free from interference or damage:-

	Snap 'N' Secure Pallet Seal	The Snap-N-Secure pallet seal is the only pallet seal on the market which addresses the most vulnerable point of pallet straps – the metal crimps. Application could not be easier; the seal simply clips around the banding with hand application. Any tampering attempts will cause the high-strength polycarbonate to crack at predetermined indication points, or shatter completely, ensuring tampering is obvious. The Snap-N-Secure can be applied to most standard steel or poly banding.
	Stock & custom-printed Security Tape & Labels	Our security tape is available in residue & non-residue options, with/without security marking, as well as optional security numbering and perforations, for high degree of tamper-evidence. As well as our stock items (available quickly and in many standard sizes), we are also able to offer completely bespoke security labels, stickers or security tape, produced to your size, specification, marking
	Bespoke and branded Packaging Tape	Our custom printed packaging tapes are manufactured using high-quality PVC, hot melt or polypropylene materials, and available in a range of widths, lengths, colours and print options. Branded packaging tapes are suitable for sealing all kinds of parcels, cartons and boxes. We can also offer specialist bespoke tape suitable for use in outdoor environments, such as for pipeline ID applications. We can custom-print with customised repeating artwork, including logos, text print and simple illustration.
	Plug seals for ALC crates	We supply a number of security plug seal products which are suitable for most types of ALC crates on the market from major manufacturers, including Linpac, Paxton, Alibert, ARCA and Buckhorn models. We can supply plug seals in plain, numbered, customised and paired seal options, to suit your particular needs.

If you have any queries on any of the above security seals or have a particular security issue you are looking to address, please call us on 01829 760000 or email us: [email protected] 

Universeal UK is a major manufacturer and distributor of tamper-evident security seals based here in UK; however, we have many other strings to our bow!

We are now a major provider of security and asset labels, identification ties, specialised ferrules and sealing wire for meters, as well as single-trip and reusable security cash and mailing bags.

Further than that, over the past few years we have also worked closely with many customers on developing or sourcing safety lockout, storage and tag solutions for many other types of use.  This includes products for the safe lockout of industrial equipment; inspection tags for incorporation within periodic inspection regimes; tote boxes for archival and retail storage; as well as ties and tags for food-contact applications.

Please take a look below at examples of other product ranges we can help you with:-

	Safety Lockout Products
	Inspection Tags
	Security Labels
	Security Pouches and Mailing Bags
	ALC Storage Tote Boxes & Tote Security Seals
	Food-Contact Ties and Tags

All of our products can be customised with bespoke printed information to suit your particular application and requirements.

Please get in touch on [email protected] or 01829 760000 to see how Universeal UK can help.

The pervasive use of smartphones in our modern world ensures that the taking of a photo or a video is as simple as reaching into your pocket; it is something that we all now take for granted in our day-to-day lives.

However, the ease with which any individual can now take a photograph or video on their phone presents a major challenge to any business or organisation welcoming visitors to their premises, whilst also needing to safeguard their own security interests. Such privacy and security concerns come in many forms: for example, it could be a manufacturer who wishes to protect technical know-how, or a government or public agency that wishes to restrict knowledge of sensitive infrastructure, layouts or procedures.

One solution to this problem is to ask visitors to surrender their phones, laptops or other electronics at point of entry; however, this is a rather blunt tool and comes with its own procedural headaches in regard to collection and re-distribution of devices. It is also risks offending visitors who understandably would prefer to keep valuables in their own possession.

Universeal SecureCam tamper-evident camera security labels offer a more flexible and effective solution to camera phone security. SecureCam no photography camera labels are available in a range of sizes and colours, and can be placed over phone or laptop camera lenses quickly – preventing pictures or videos from being taken. Any attempt to remove security labels and then replace in order to take a photo with the camera will clearly be demonstrated by a ‘void’ message, which appears throughout the entire SecureCam label as soon as the label is removed.

Our SecureCam labels are produced from a no-residue tamper-evident material, which means they do not leave any void material on devices once removed, and can be easily disposed of once no longer required. Each label is uniquely numbered, and application and recording of security labels can be easily incorporated into visitor registration identification procedures.

We offer SecureCam no photography labels in standard stock sizes, and can also customise for your own requirements; including your own custom size labels, company logo, unique marking, and security numbers.

If you have security concerns over the use camera phones within your workplace or organisation, please give us a call today to discuss how Universeal UK can assist you with our no photography security labels.

Event Security Safeguarding with Tamper-proof Tags

The security and safeguarding of large-scale events, such as sports stadiums and music venues, has never been more important, and those overseeing security procedures must continually review appropriate prevention and detection strategies to deal with threats posed.

Universeal UK specialises in tamper-evident identification tags, security VOID labels and security seals, used throughout industrial and commercial supply chains to ensure integrity, protection of assets, and to reduce risk.

Increasingly, such security seals are also being used as part of event security, particularly to aid in the screening of potential threats to sports matches, music festivals, concerts and other types of staged events. For example, our security seals can be used as bag security tags, to act as an indicator that particular bags have been screened and security-checked.

Our range of security products include:

Such products provide an additional security measure in reducing risks posed by unidentified packages, bags and other items.

All of our products can be customised with event branding, unique marking and unique sequential numbering. We produce many seals here in the UK and can offer a competitive, responsive service.

 Please give us a call on 01829 760000 or email [email protected] to discuss your event and how Universeal can help you.

In the fast-moving world of fashion retail and logistics, having yours or your customers’ garments delivered to the right place and at the right time, free from damage or theft is of crucial importance to the growth of a successful clothes retailer. However, many garments moved on clothes hangers are particularly difficult to transport and protect from interference, as they are hung on rails in transit and so are liable to displacement, pilferage or other damage en route.

The Universeal Coathanger Seal is one ingenious way to ensure that garments are protected and secured in transit appropriately. By securing a series of wire hangers with a coathanger seal, upto ten garments can be secured and transported together. The seal avoids bunching, creasing, and helps lightweight garments to stay on their hangers whilst in transit. The seals also reduces scope for opportunists to remove odd garments from rails, as this cannot be achieved without breaking the seal – providing the authorised user with clear evidence of breach in their supply chain.

The Coathanger seal is available in a bright red as standard, allowing for quick visual identification of intact seals. Alternatively, for volume requirements we are able to produce in a range of colours to suit your particular needs.

Clothes-in-transit present a real challenge in logistics, as safely transporting items which combine the qualities of being fast-moving, high-value and fragile is not without its difficulty. However, security solutions such as our Coathanger Seals provide one cost-effective way to manage and reduce risks to fashion goods, and to ensure that garments arrive to their point of sale looking their best.

Please contact us on 01829 760000 or [email protected] to discuss your requirements.

The Department for Transport, as part of a European wide regulations to standardise and improve aviation security, oversees the ‘known consignor’ scheme for consignments, whereby authorised and audited operators may apply their own in-house measures for the secure preparation of cargo destined for despatch by airfreight. This allows expedited cargo movements for those who follow best practice in the industry. Such cargo is classified as ‘known cargo’ or ‘SPX cargo’.

An application to the DfT for approval as a Known Consignor will be followed by a visit from a DfT accredited validator. If the shipper’s safety and audit controls meet the requirement they will be issued a unique identifier. Further information is available from the specialist aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (please visit: www.caa.co.uk).

Security seals are an important part of this process, both for the shipper who processes and packs goods for cargo movements, and for logistic operators who handle consignments between locations. Indicative seals, such as cable security seals and non-residue security labels, are uniquely numbered and provide suitable tamper-evident security to protect against unauthorised interference.

As an example of how such security seals can assist in practice, consider the role of a courier company transporting safety-critical aircraft parts between suppliers and secure airport facilities. If the goods are sent from a known consignor, who is accredited under national regulations, then consignments can be loaded within vans at the supplier facility, and a security label placed over the side and rear doors to verify the authorised loading. This allows the consignment to proceed directly for embarkation at airport. On the other hand, if they are not a known consignor then the load will have to proceed to a cargo handler, to be x-rayed and security validated. The consignment can be then sealed in the van in the same way, and proceed to the airport.

Security seals will be checked at the airline to make sure they have not been broken or tampered with. Our indicative plastic seals for trailers, cable security seals for air cargo containers, and security labels for vans can assist in the smooth operation of known cargo / SPX cargo operations. All of security seal products are available on short lead times and with bespoke customisation for your needs (for example, customer logos, barcoding/numbering, and other security features).    

Please contact us on 01829 760000 or email [email protected] to discuss your requirements today.

“Car seals” are single-use security cable seals, so-called due to their alternative use in sealing railway cars, or wagons. Such car seals can also be used in the safe and effective lockout and isolation of industrial valves. Our Flexigrip 325M car seal is available from UK with unique sequential numbering and 1m length cable for safe and secure sealing of valves.

Car seals perform well as single-use lockout devices to seal a valve in the open or closed position, typically for long durations - for example, to permanently secure a sprinkler system valve. To remove the car seal, a cutting tool is required, after which the cable will splay, ensuring that the device cannot be re-used. This effectively prevents unauthorised use of the valves, where this may be dangerous without appropriate safeguards.

Below is a visual guide to the use of car seals for valve lockout:-

Colour coding is used to indicate the safe working position of the valve, for example green for valves which should be kept in the ‘open’ position, red for ‘closed’ valves, and yellow for ‘throttled’ valves – however, a range of custom colours available upon request: this may be preferred to indicate other important information, such as the substance flowing through pipework.

Car seals for valve lockout come in a standard 1m length cable – but custom lengths are available, to suit particularly large operatus or to seal multiple valves in one operation.

In order to provide safe working practice, a system of working should be implemented to provide a full auditable record of safety lockout. For example, a regularly updated list of safety critical valves should be maintained, recording the following information.

• Safe position of valve, e.g. open or closed
• Valve location / department
• Last inspection date
• Unique identification number of the car seals

This is to ensure that you meet your responsibilities under national occupational safety legislation. For example, in the UK, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), provides for safe working practices - particularly the provision of machinery with appropriate and safe methods of control, and the safe isolation of machinery from all energy sources, as required. Car Seals can act as a suitable tool as part of your health and safety protocols to ensure that your workforce is protected, and that you are in compliance with safety legislation.

If you require another type of solution to suit your particular needs, we do offer other products for valve lockout - our full range is available here.

Please contact us to discuss your requirements - [email protected] or 01829 760000