Mil 130
Written by Steve Hudgik
MIL-130, also known as MIL STD 130 (Military Standard 130) is a materiel 
identification and marking system that is required by the Department of Defense (DoD). It requires that all assets and personal property, including assets in the possession of contractors, be marked with a unique serialized identification number that is compliant with MIL-STD-130.
MIL 130 allows the printing of the label or marking with most of the conventional technologies used to make labels. The label or marking must be permanent and able to survive for the expected life of the object which it identifies. This includes being able to survive the same environmental tests and cleaning procedures as the item it identifies.
Although not a part of the MIL 130 specification, in some cases MIL 130 labels or markings must be suitable for the environment in which the equipment will be used. For example, there is equipment that must be low visibility, so any marking or label must also be low visibility – although still readable by a bar code scanner.
MIL 130 requires that a machine readable 2D Data Matrix bar code be included on the label. The bar code must meet both print quality standards and data format requirements. Print quality measurement tests specified by ISO 15415, AS9132 or AIM DPM may be used to determine compliance with print quality requirements. The data may be formatted in accordance with ISO 15434 using AI's, DI's or TEI's.
The purpose of MIL 130 is to support the DoD's IUID program of having every item owned by the DoD, or used by DoD contractors, marked with a unique identification number and bar code.
DuraLabel has the printers and supplies needed for making custom MIL 130 labels. Call 1-888-326-9244 today to learn more about using DuraLabel printers to make military spec. labels, signs and tags.
