Threat of standards stalemate

The creation of a new container security initiative by a partnership including General Electric, Siemens and Mitsubishi Corp has been criticised by the World Shipping Council and others.

The new Brussels-based International Container Security Organisation (ICSO) was launched in July with the aim to produce security system standards encompassing modern seals and wireless communications “so intelligent” that industry as a whole would adopt them.

However, the WSC, which sits on the International Standards Organisation’s committee that is defining a standard for electronic seals, criticised ICSO for bypassing the ISO and said: “It is also a strange coincidence that GE would undertake this initiative just as the ISO is about to finalise its years of efforts in developing a consensus international container security standard – a standard that differs significantly from GE’s product.”

The ISO is working to define technical standards for frequency, for how data is structured and transmitted, and for physical design, says Lani Fritts, chief operating officer of Savi Networks.

Following tests this summer, a final standard is expected to be in place by the end of the year, he says.

“It has been a while in the making because of the political factors – but it is important for a number of reasons, ” he says. “Not only is it important in order to automatically verify that a seal is the same throughout the supply chain as it was when it was put on – but it will establish a base for communication on the container that can enable other capabilities.

“The first mobile phone networks were simply to make a phone call.

Now you can get e-mail, video and football scores. Enabling the network is the key thing.

“When a standard is established, this will spur innovation – instead of people arguing about frequency and protocol, they can compete on product capability features and performance. One of the things that is true of international trade and supply chain management generally is that it is always looking for ways to improve. Better information about status, location, and sensor data such as temperature and humidity – all these pieces of information are helpful.”

Of the new ISCO, Mr Fritts says: “There is already a collaboration process developing these kinds of standards. Setting up another committee is frankly distracting, and at the worst is I think in some ways going around the process to push a particular proprietary technology.

“I would much rather see these companies come to the table in the standards organisation that already exists. I am not sure of the value of creating another standards committee to create more confusion.”