A new work item approved by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) seeks to bolster the supply chain with the use of “smart containers”—shipping containers equipped with Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, connectivity technology, and data processing capabilities to enable real-time monitoring and communication.
ISO/AWI TS 25287, Smart Container Functionality and Identification, will review the existing IoT equipment being used on containers, and evaluate its specifications and compatibility with the operational environment to define smart container terminology. It will also provide technical requirements for IoT systems in smart containers, focusing on interoperability, security, and data privacy. ISO Technical Committee (TC) 104, Freight Containers / Subcommittee (SC) 4, Identification and communication / Working Group (WG) 2, Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) for containers and container related equipment, has begun its work on the new technical specification.
The WG reports that work is well underway, with a new version of the specification expected to be circulated for ISO member vote and comment as early as Q4 2025.
“The process is moving quickly, mainly to avoid releasing a technical specification that is outdated by the time it’s published,” said Marianna Levtov, senior vice president of strategic alliances at Hoopo and convenor of WG 2. “It needs to be relevant, and we are hoping that this process will be a learning curve for others thinking about smart container deployment or developing the technology itself.”
Benefits of Smart Containers
Smart containers offer improved supply chain visibility, providing real-time location data and condition monitoring. This can be crucial when the contents of the container are time- or temperature-sensitive—for example, food, pharmaceuticals, or electronics. With enhanced visibility, companies can optimize routes, more accurately predict delivery times, and respond to disruptions.
Security is also boosted with smart containers, detecting unauthorized access and providing detailed records of where a container has been, and who has been in contact with it.
While smart containers bring numerous benefits to an increasingly complex supply chain, they also introduce the need for guidelines surrounding interoperability, security, and data privacy—all slated to be addressed in the document being developed by TC 104/SC 2/WG 2.
Get Involved
U.S. stakeholders interested in contributing to this work item and others relevant to freight containers are invited to join the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for TC 104. ANSI administers the TAG, which is sponsored by Copeland. U.S. stakeholders interested in ISO/AWI TS 25287 specifically are encouraged to reach out to [email protected] to get involved as soon as possible, given the short timeline for anticipated completion of the specification.
The U.S. TAG to ISO TC 104 and its subcommittees will have an in-person meeting in Washington, DC, on October 29, 2025. To attend this meeting or learn more about the TAG, email [email protected].