Government Buyers Update – Class A & B Shredders

Posted on 7 May 2013

Government Buyers Update
Paper Shredders that Meet the Government Class A or Class B Requirements
The SCEC (Security Construction and Equipment Committee) no longer undertakes the evaluation of Class A and Class B paper shredders.
In lieu of SCEC evaluation, ASIO has released a “Security Equipment Guide” which sets out the requirements for Class A and Class B  paper shredders used for the destruction of paper based security classified material. This guide may be used by government departments when selecting Class A and Class B paper shredders. The guide and the associated test procedure may also be used for the independent testing and evaluation of Class A and Class B paper shredders.

How Can Buyers In Government Agencies Distinguish Paper Shredders Offered, Do Meet the Australian Government Class A or Class B Requirements?
Approved A Class and B Class paper shredders have been independently tested by a NATA test house and are found to meet all of the requirements set out in the ASIO Security Equipment Guide #1 – Class A and Class B  Paper Shredders, and are suitable for the destruction of paper based security classified material. Paper shredders that are listed on the Security Equipment Catalogue “SEC” or have passed testing with valid test reports to substantiate are approved for Class A or Class B destruction of paper based security classified material.

Changes to the Security Equipment Catalogue “SEC”
The Security Equipment Catalogue “SEC” will eventually be withdrawn and replaced by the Security Equipment Evaluated Products List “SEEPL” by 2014.
The Security Equipment Catalogue “SEC” is due to be phased out after 2014. Class A and Class B shredders will not be included in the “SEEPL” having not been identified by SCEC as the current priority for equipment evaluation to meet the requirements of the Australian Government, this may change however.

Approved Stamp

Request the Relevant Test Report from the Shredder Supplier
Government buyers can request a valid copy of the relevant NATA test house report as documented proof that the shredders offered do meet Class A and Class B paper shredding requirements for the destruction of paper based security classified material.