UID labels are durable, machine-readable identification labels required by the U.S. Department of Defense for tracking military assets valued over $5,000 or designated as mission-critical. Each UID (Unique Identification) label contains three essential data elements encoded in a 2D Data Matrix barcode: your company’s CAGE code, part number, and serial number.
These labels must be permanently affixed to qualifying items and remain readable throughout the asset’s entire operational life.
If you’re a defense contractor, MIL-STD-130N compliance isn’t optional—it’s a contractual requirement that directly affects payment processing, audit outcomes, and future contract awards. Non-compliant labeling can delay Wide Area Workflow (WAWF) approvals, trigger rejection of delivered items, and create costly rework.
This comprehensive guide provides everything defense industry manufacturers need to specify, design, source, and apply UID labels that meet DoD requirements.
UID Label Requirements at a Glance
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UID labels (Unique Identification labels) are specialized, durable identification markers that contain machine-readable information used to track and manage U.S. Department of Defense assets throughout their entire lifecycle. Each UID label features a 2D Data Matrix barcode that encodes three critical data elements: the manufacturer’s CAGE code (Commercial and Government Entity identifier), the part number, and a unique serial number.
This combination creates a globally unique identifier that distinguishes each individual item from every other asset in the DoD inventory system.
The primary purpose of UID labels is to provide the DoD with complete visibility and accountability for its property, equipment, and materials. When scanned, a UID label’s Data Matrix barcode connects directly to the Item Unique Identification (IUID) Registry, a centralized database that stores comprehensive information about each asset including acquisition cost, current location, maintenance history, chain of custody, and operational status.
Any supplier that wishes to do business with the U.S. government should consider these benefits and work to identify ways to enable greater integration with government systems. The UID label itself may be a critical component of military asset management, but it will be impossible to oversee a global supply infrastructure without many other connected resources.
UID labeling requirements apply to defense contractors, subcontractors, and any organization that manufactures or delivers tangible items to the U.S. Department of Defense. The specific threshold requirements that trigger UID labeling obligations are clearly defined in MIL-STD-130N and related DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement) clauses.
You must apply UID labels to items that meet ANY of the following criteria:
Subcontractors must also comply with UID requirements when their components or assemblies meet these thresholds, even if delivered to a prime contractor rather than directly to the government. The prime contractor bears ultimate responsibility for ensuring all qualifying items—including those from subcontractors—are properly marked before delivery to the DoD.
Common items requiring UID labels include: aircraft components and assemblies, ground vehicle parts, communications equipment, weapons systems and accessories, test equipment and tools, electronic systems and circuit boards, engines and power units, and any reparable or serialized spare parts meeting the threshold criteria.
The U.S. Department of Defense launched the UID program in 2003 to address decades of asset management challenges, including incomplete property records, difficulty tracking items across their lifecycle, and lack of standardization among contractors and military services. Prior to UID implementation, the DoD lacked reliable, comprehensive information about what assets it owned, where they were located, and their current condition—a problem repeatedly highlighted by Government Accountability Office (GAO) audits.
The program evolved significantly in 2005 with the adoption of 2D Data Matrix barcodes as the standard machine-readable format, replacing earlier linear barcode systems that couldn’t encode sufficient data. MIL-STD-130, the governing specification, has undergone multiple revisions to refine marking requirements, improve data quality standards, and incorporate technological advances.
As of 2025, MIL-STD-130N with Change 1 (November 2012) remains the current specification, though the DoD continues to refine implementation guidance and best practices based on lessons learned from over two decades of program operation.
Today, the UID system has dramatically improved DoD asset visibility, streamlined supply chain operations, reduced inventory discrepancies, and provided an audit-ready framework for managing billions of dollars in military property. The IUID Registry now contains millions of asset records, and UID marking has become a fundamental requirement for defense industry participation, with compliance directly affecting contract awards, payment processing, and contractor performance ratings.
The UID labeling requirements are defined in a series of military specifications that are updated periodically with new information. As of 2025, MIL-STD-130N with Change 1 (November 2012) remains the current specification. It is important to consult these documents to gain a better understanding of the labeling requirements and to prepare for any future changes.
The two primary documents that define the UID labeling requirements are:
These two documents together define the guidelines for labeling and marking each asset that falls under the defined requirements. The MIL-STD-130 standard is of particular use for label design and contains definitions for several factors such as text size, syntax, and fonts.
Every UID label must conform to these guidelines before being placed on an asset. In simple terms, a military asset will require a UID label if the item:
These definitions are a good starting point for understanding the scope of the UID program. There may also be additional specifications that should be considered when selecting and designing specific asset labels.
In addition to the MIL-STD documents above, the following specifications also provide useful information.
Military vendor requirements related to the UID program are defined in DFARS 252.211-70003. The specification MIL-DTL-15024 contains a detailed description of physical qualities that bands, tags, and plates should possess when used for the purpose of marking military equipment. Some suppliers provide equipment to the military and other agencies and businesses.
This can create a supply chain management challenge where multiple requirements must be integrated into a single series of products. For this reason, it may also be beneficial to consult standards from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
One example related to the UID program is ISO/IEC CD 16022, which discusses Data Matrix bar code symbology specifications for technology that uses automatic identification and data capture techniques.
When selecting metal equipment labels and nameplates for UID-compliant assets, it is very important to choose an appropriate format, substrate material, and barcode design. Failing to create a suitable marking can result in damaged labels or even fines and other penalties.
In this section, we’ll describe a few recommended steps for choosing a UID label for military assets.
Label Format. The general format for a UID-compliant label is specified in MIL-STD-130 and must be a Construct #1 or Construct #2 format. A Construct #1 label uses a part number, barcode, and a supplier-assigned serial number that must be unique to any other products produced by that company.
The Construct #2 format uses a lot/batch number, part number, and serial number that is taken directly from the original asset. Label text and sizing can be determined by the supplier to some degree if the design is in alignment with the MIL-STD-130 standard.
Substrate Material. The first step in choosing a substrate material is defining the application requirements for the asset to which the label will be attached. Some general application examples are aerospace equipment, industrial processes, and military vehicles. Equipment may be exposed to various extreme conditions during use such as weather, corrosive materials, or high/low temperatures.
As a result, a good rule of thumb is to select a label that is at least as durable as the underlying asset.
Popular substrate materials often selected for use with military equipment including UID assets are:
Barcode Design. The recommended barcode symbology for military UID labels is the 2D data matrix format. One of the main reasons why 2D barcodes are used is the higher density of data that can be encoded in the same physical space as compared to 1D barcodes. For an in-depth comparison of 1D vs 2D barcodes see our detailed guide to barcodes vs QR codes.
The 2D Data Matrix format can store up to 2000 characters and is a globally recognized symbology. In certain situations, an encrypted Data Matrix code is allowed to protect particularly sensitive products and information.
Metalphoto®, in particular, is an excellent choice for UID labels. It’s recognized by the National Association of Graphic and Product Identification Manufacturers (GPI) as the most durable material among aluminum substrates and earned the highest score among IUID (Item Unique Identification) label materials in an environmental sustainability report from the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Corona Division in 2011.
Metalphoto meets MIL-STD-130N requirements for UID labels along with a number of other defense and government specifications. The current version, MIL-STD-130N with Change 1 (dated November 16, 2012), defines all technical marking requirements.
Metalphoto complies with:
While you should always way your application’s unique requirements with regulatory specifications and the durability of various substrate materials for the asset’s expected operating conditions, Metalphoto labels are often the ideal choice for their unmatched durability and expected exterior lifespan of more than 20 years, even when exposed to harsh environmental conditions such as heat, humidity, sustained harsh weather conditions, UV, salt spray, abrasion, and industrial solvents and chemicals.
Military partners that supply UID-compliant assets must also develop a reliable inventory and asset management program of their own. Many companies are now trying to implement world-class inventory management practices to differentiate their businesses from competitors.
A strong internal inventory process not only improves your own operational efficiency but also makes it easier to transfer products seamlessly between military organizations. The inventory management software platforms that are best suited for defense products often include military-grade security, AI-powered analytics, and detailed chain-of-custody and audit records.
Another essential implementation step to consider is the design of your label application process. The placement and orientation of a UID asset label are both very important to ensure that the label is properly affixed to the underlying asset surface and will not become detached over time. UID barcode labels most often use an adhesive or mechanical means, like bolts or screws, to seal them in place.
The orientation of a label can also affect the ability of staff to scan barcodes effectively and should be considered as well.
One final process that should be reviewed is the auditing capability of your inventory management system. The ability to track a complete chain of custody for each part is an excellent resource that can be used to respond to inventory inquiries and prepare for formal audits.
Many modern software platforms can also be integrated with other software tools and it may be possible to connect directly to the systems of your own suppliers. Automating steps in your supply chain, manufacturing, and delivery processes can greatly improve the effectiveness of your operation.
Even with clear guidelines in place, many of the decisions required to properly label military assets must be made by the supplier. As a result, proper planning and teamwork are required at all levels of the supply chain network.
We’ve provided this guide as a solid starting point in creating a UID label program that can meet the stringent requirements defined by the U.S. Military and other partners. At times, asset labels can seem insignificant when compared to the many other product specifications to consider, but they play an essential role in asset management for the world’s largest military.
Our sales engineers are experts in automatic asset tracking, tagging and identification,a nd can answer all your questions. Get in touch now.
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