The UII

What is the UII?

Now that you have determined that your items qualify for Item Unique Identification (IUID), as mandated by DFARS 252.211-7003, it is time to learn about the Unique Item Identifier (UII).

UII- According to DFARS 252.211-7003, the UII is a set of data that is, "globally unique and unambiguous." This set of data elements is marked on qualifying items with a Data Matrix ECC200 symbol. The data elements of the UII are encoded into the Data Matrix ECC200 symbol with a software package, such as BradySoft^TM Ultimate Barcode Label Design Software.

How is the UII Constructed?

The method used to construct the UII determines the set of data elements that are encoded into the Data Matrix.

The UII may be encoded by using one of the following constructs, according to MIL-STD-130N:

1. UII Construct #1: Serial Number is Unique within the Enterprise.
2. UII Construct #2: Serial Number is Unique within the Original Part, Lot, or Batch Number, which is Unique within the Enterprise.
3. DoD IUID Equivalent: Complete value to serve as the UII.

Creating the UII Using Construct #1: Includes a combination of the following data elements:

1. Issuing Agency Code (IAC)^*
2. Enterprise Identifier (EID)
3. Serial Number

Creating the UII Using Construct #2: Includes a combination of the following data elements:

1. Issuing Agency Code (IAC)^* 
2. Enterprise Identifier (EID)
3. The Original Part, Lot, or Batch Number
4. The Serial Number

* Note- Issuing Agency Codes (IACs) do not need to be marked on the item.

IUID Equivalent: IUID Equivalents are complete values that are already in existence to serve as the UII.

These IUID Equivalents must meet the following criteria:

• Must contain an enterprise identifier.
• Must uniquely identify an individual item within an enterprise identifier, product, or part number.
• Must have an existing Data Identifier (DI) and Application Identifier (AI) listed in ANSI MH 10.8.2.