1218

NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 41

28 FEBRUARY 2008

The appointed applicators must have systems in place to ensure:

(a) supplies of microdots are secure and cannot be tampered with or partially removed before use; and

(b) surplus/residual microdots are disposed of in a manner that ensures they are not available for use on other vehicles; and

(c) any missing stock of unused microdots is recorded and follow-up action taken.

1.4 Administration and Control Processes

The appointed applicators must have systems in place to ensure:

(a) the microdots are attached to the correct vehicle; and

(b) the identity of treated vehicles is recorded; and

(c) cross contamination of microdots between vehicle applications is avoided.

2. Physical Characteristics

2.1 Acceptance of System

Documented evidence must be provided from an independent testing authority acceptable to the director of Land Transport, certifying that the product meets all the requirements in the following clauses 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4(a) and (b).

2.2 Components Used

(a) Microdots:

(i) Microdots must be made of an inert, durable material, scientifically certified to have no adverse reaction with any part or function of the vehicle to which they may be applied.

(ii) Microdots must not be more than 1mm in width and able to be easily located once they have been applied to a vehicle and covered with adhesive/coating.

(iii) Microdot material and the data stored on it must meet the requirements of the Accelerated Ageing and Removal Tests in the appendix to this notice.

(iv) Identification data stored on the microdot must link it directly to the VIN of the vehicle without the need to obtain additional data. The data on the microdot must include the whole VIN. The microdot must also incorporate means to identify the microdot supplier.

(b) Adhesive/Coating Material:

The adhesive/coating material must readily coat the microdots and adhere them to the various surfaces of the vehicle on which the system is to be applied in such a manner that ensures the Accelerated Ageing and Removal Tests specified in the appendix to this notice are met.

The adhesive/coating material must allow the easy detection and selective removal of individual microdots (but not the en-mass removal of microdots) and the cleaning of the microdot if needed to retrieve the microdot data.

The adhesive/coating material must incorporate a UV trace element that enables its presence to be detected using a UV light source (black light).

2.3 Authenticity

(a) Either the microdot or the adhesive/coating material must incorporate a proprietary exclusive feature that enables the microdot supplier to scientifically or otherwise conclusively authenticate the supplier’s microdot and/or adhesive from any other product or any attempt to counterfeit the supplier’s product.

(b) The authenticity feature must be demonstrated to have a high degree of counterfeit resistance.

2.4 Application of Components

(a) Application System:

The application system must enable the microdots to be distributed over the surface being treated and allow the application of the microdots to locations that cannot be physically reached without dismantling of components.

The application system must incorporate features that prevent cross contamination of microdots between applications to different vehicles.

The number of microdots applied to a vehicle must be of the order of 7000 (seven thousand) or more, and these must be evenly distributed over the vehicle components treated.

(b) In-field Readability:

The identification data stored on the microdot must be able to be read in the field using a low powered microscope device.

(c) Cleanliness of Surfaces:

The surfaces to be treated must be clean, dry and in sound condition, and free of loose material, oil and grease.

(d) Vehicle Application Points:

The following areas of a vehicle must have microdots applied, where applicable and accessible without dismantling (except removal of rubber caps, covers and similar, without the use of tools)

(i) Compliance plate/label.

(ii) Inside reinforcing ribs of the bonnet.

(iii) Inside reinforcing ribs of the boot lid or tailgate.

(iv) Inside of the front and rear bumper assemblies.

(v) Front and rear suspension components.