Definitions and Concepts > SLC: Shelf Life Code

Shelf Life is expressed on labels, where applicable, in a form that is dependent on their characteristics, with a start and end date, and the action that occurred at the start and is to occur at the end. For example:

ASSEMBLED DATE 10/13

INSP/TEST DATE 10/16

The Shelf Life Code determines the length of time between these two events. The following Mil-Std-129R excerpt explains shelf-life codes and shelf-life marking on labels.

5.10.1 Shelf-life marking (see Figure 28). Shelf-life marking shall be shown as part of the item identification data on unit packs, intermediate containers, exterior containers, and unpacked items. Shelf-life marking can be specified in solicitations or contracts, purchase orders, purchase descriptions, specifications and material standards. All shelf-life marking shall be based on shelf-life codes (SLC) (see Table IV). In accordance with DoDM 4140.27, Volume 1 and 2, there are two types of shelf-life items. Type I shelf-life items have a definite non-extendible period of shelf life. They are assigned alpha shelf-life codes (SLCs) (excluding “X”). Type II shelf-life items have an assigned shelf-life time period that may be extended after completion of visual inspection, certified laboratory test, or restorative action. Type II items are assigned numeric SLCs and “X”. Items that are assigned a SLC of zero (non-deteriorative) do not require shelf-life marking. For definitions of the assembled date, cured date, expiration date, inspect/test date, manufactured date, and packed date, see Table III.

a. Type I and Type II shelf-life items. Apply one as appropriate: date manufactured, date assembled, date cured (for elastomeric and rubber products only), date packed (for subsistence), date of packaging (for SAE AS5502 items only), and date of shipment or date of manufacture (as applicable for selected FSC 8040 items). Apply the expiration date for Type I and inspect/test date for Type II. Visit the DoD Shelf Life Extension System (SLES) for more information on the SAE AS5502 and FSG 80 items.

EXAMPLE 1 (TYPE I)

MFD DATE 10/13

EXP DATE 10/14

EXAMPLE 2 (TYPE II)

ASSEMBLED DATE 10/13 INSP/TEST DATE 10/16

EXAMPLE 3 (TYPE II)

CURED DATE 4Q13 INSP/TEST DATE 4Q18

NOTE: The words “TYPE I” or “TYPE II” shall not be applied as part of the shelf-life marking. For other than cure dated items (see examples 1 and 2), the manufactured date, assembled date, packed date, expiration date, and the inspect/test date shall be expressed by the numeric month followed by the last two digits of the calendar year, with the day of the month being the last day. For cure dated items, the cured date, expiration date, and the inspect/test date (see example 3) shall be expressed by the calendar quarter followed by the last two digits of the calendar year, with the day of the quarter being the last day. When two or more unit packs of the same item are consolidated within any intermediate or exterior containers and have different shelf-life dates, the earliest dates shall be shown on those containers.