ISO 17712:2010 establishes uniform procedures for the classification, acceptance and withdrawal of acceptance of mechanical freight container seals. It provides a single source of information on mechanical seals which are acceptable for securing freight containers in international commerce. The purpose of mechanical seals is, as part of a security system, to determine whether a freight container has been tampered with, i.e. whether there has been unauthorized entry into the container through its doors. Seals can be effective only if seal users properly select, store, account for, apply, document and attend to seals prior to use and in use; whilst these issues are not addressed in ISO 17712:2010, they are relevant to successful use of the seals covered by ISO 17712:2010. Seals that conform to ISO 17712:2010 are suitable for other applications, such as bulk railcars or truck trailers used in cross-border and domestic operations. Users and regulatory agencies can apply ISO 17712:2010 to other applications as they deem appropriate.