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Asset marking systems

(United States Audience - see bottom of page)

LPS 1225: Issue 3.2 Requirements for the LPCB Approvals and Listing of Asset Marking Systems  View standard here

The scope of this standard specifies requirements for the composition and performance of an asset marking system such that, when used according to the manufacturer's instructions, the asset marking device may:

  • Enable the marked asset to be traced to the legal owner via a secure database register linked to the marking system employed
  • Act as a theft deterrent in the first instance by virtue of visible marking

Property marking systems that are certificated to this standard are regularly assessed by the LPCB to ensure quality is maintained and the products work.

Thatcham Quality Accreditation (TQA) TQSD 013.28 Whole Vehicle Marking Criteria

The Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre, or ‘Thatcham’ as it is better known, have developed assessment criteria for systems used to mark motor vehicles.  They assess the performance of the product against their criteria and carry out periodic reassessments to ensure continued compliance.  The assessment criterion varies according to the type of vehicle, e.g. car, motorcycle, trailer, marine and watercraft.

Other independent assessments

The police ‘Secured by Design’ project also licences a number of DNA and chemical marking systems that were assessed as 'fit for purpose' by the now closed Police Forensic Science Laboratory (See now Forensic Science Regulator)  and ‘by bodies acceptable to ACPO ‘Secured by Design’ and the Police Service’.  In respect to the latter, ACPO doesn’t actually say who the ‘acceptable body’ is.  

Secure database registers

The databases on which you can register yourself and your property details must be secure and I think it is important that the database meets with a recognised standard and is independently and regularly assessed to ensure that the database is being maintained to the standard.

LPS 1224: Issue 3.1 Requirements for companies providing secure asset registration services   View standard here

The scope of this standard specifies requirements for the operation of secure database registers such that, when incorporated in an asset marking system certificated to LPS 1225 (above), a marked item can be traced to its owner.  The standard also requires that the building containing the database is secure.  The standard also references a number of international standards for IT security. 

BS ISO/IEC 27001: 2005/BS 7799-2: 2005 Information technology  Security techniques  Information security mangement systems  Requirements

The scope of this international standard covers all types of organisations and specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, operating, monitoring, reviewing, maintaining and improving a documented information security management system (ISMS) within the context of the organisation’s overall business risks. It specifies requirements for the implementation of security controls customised to the needs of an individual organisation. 

Thatcham Quality Accreditation (TQA) TQSD 013.28 Whole Vehicle Marking Criteria (Secure database)

The Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre, or ‘Thatcham’ as it is better known, have developed assessment criteria for systems used to mark motor vehicles and secure databases.  They assess the performance of products against their criteria and carry out periodic reassessments to ensure continued compliance.

Databases searched by the police

The following companies’ databases are regularly checked by the police when they are tracing the owner of a marked item of property.  Most of these links are to the companies’ home pages and not to their databases.  You will notice that most of the companies have achieved certification to a relevant standard for their secure databases.  

Retainagroup  Certified to LPS 1224 and Thatcham approved

Bike Register  Certified to LPS 1224

Datatag Certified to LPS 1224

Smartwater  Certified to BS ISO/IEC 27001: 2005

Immobilise Tested to BS ISO/IEC 27001:2005 / BS 7799-2:2005

Selectamark  Certified to LPS 1224

ARBSAFE Hosted by company certified to ISO 27001:2005  Of particular interest to tree surgeons and landscape gardeners

CheckMEND Tested to BS ISO/IEC 27001:2005/BS 7799-2:2005 Enabling background checks of used electronic equipment

United States Audience National Crime Information Center operated by the FBI. Information provided by My Property ID Registry of Iowa that also supplies property marking solutions

 

Updated December 2014, Updated June 2017, Updated October 2017