The Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Mandate took effect on December 18, 2017. Since then drivers were given some leeway. If they were caught without the proper ELD equipment, documents, or training they were written up, but neither they nor the companies they drive for were penalized for it. That leeway officially ended on April 1^st.

Under the Compliance, Safety, and Accountability program (CSA) any driver now caught without the proper ELD equipment will have CSA points levied against them and their companies. Furthermore, according to Kerri Wirachowsky, Director of the roadside inspection program at the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, trucks will be put into the penalty box, in most cases for up to 10 hours.

With the ELD Mandate drivers must have and be able to do the following.

1. Tell enforcement that there is an electronic user manual with instructions for using the device, on the device, in the form of help screens.
2. Be able to produce recent data and transfer it to an inspector electronically.
3. Instructions for reporting malfunctions and record-keeping procedures during malfunctions.
4. Have at least an eight day supply of blank forms for recording a driver’s hours of service in the event the mobile device fails.

April 1^st has come and gone, hence if drivers are not ELD compliant by now its important to do so. Mainly because just having an ELD does not mean the driver is in compliance. The driver must also be able to operate the ELD. Not being able to do so will be treated as if the driver didn’t have the proper equipment on board.

To comply with the ELD Mandate you’ll need a device, below are some of the newest mobile device options for ELD:

• Zebra TC56 rugged smartphone
• Honeywell CT50 rugged smartphone
• Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1 rugged tablet
• Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet

To learn more about the ELD Mandate or to get a free consultation on an ELD hardware and software solution, reach out to one of our Barcodes, Inc. representatives.

What you need to know?

On November 27, 2013, Congress enacted the Drug Quality and Security Act (DQSA), which includes the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA). The DSCSA outlines steps to build an electronic system to identify, track and trace certain prescription drugs as they are distributed in the United States. This legislation was enacted in order to transform the pharmaceutical supply chain through serialization and improve patient safety.

Manufacturers, wholesalers, re-packagers and pharmacies have been required to implement lot-level management since 2015. Starting in November 2017, phase II of the DSCSA implementation requires manufacturers and re-packagers to serialize packages of drug products using a GS1 product identifier (either GTIN or NDC), serial number, lot number and expiration date, and embed this information into a 2D Datamatrix barcode. In November 2019, wholesalers must accept only serialized products and must verify unique product identifiers. By November 2020, pharmacists must meet the same requirements. Lastly, by November 2023, all information will be required to be made available that would allow supply chain partners to trace the ownership back to the initial manufacturer or re-packager.

What does a DSCSA solution do?

Our DSCSA hardware and software solution is focused on developing a traceability solution that incorporates transaction management, repository of historical snapshots of data for retrieval, and detects exceptions and provides easy to use visibility to traceability data in a matter of seconds.

What are the benefits of DSCSA?

Besides being in compliance, patients and supply chain companies are able to take advantage of the benefits of DSCSA, such as:

• Improved patient safety and care
• Compliance with serialization requirements helps move the industry ahead with better traceability and accountability for the origin, chain of custody, delivery, and availability of authentic, original prescription drugs
• Improved accessibility to patients for the drugs they need and assurance that they are exactly the drugs prescribed by their physicians
• Reduction of counterfeit drugs by having serialized identifiers
• Maintaining profits for the industry providers against counterfeit products
• Enables quick and accurate recalls of drugs, if needed
• Increased efficiency throughout the supply chain by optimizing inventory tracking through serialization

What do I need to be in compliance?

Converting manufacturing lines from lot-based to unit-based serialization represents an investment in software and hardware. Barcode scanners and barcode label printers are a necessity to print and scan a GS1 2D Datamatrix barcode label. Wireless networking is an option for manufacturers looking to future-proof their operations. While all facilities present different challenges, service providers like Barcodes, Inc. can provide a consultation to ensure all the technology is identified and implemented in accordance to compliance regulations.

While the deadline remains the same, the FDA has issued a one year reprieve, meaning that the agency will not take action against manufacturers who do not affix or imprint the product identifier to their packages until after November 26, 2018.

To learn more about the DSCSA drug tracing mandate or to get a free consultation on a drug tracing hardware and software solution, reach out to one of our Barcodes, Inc. representatives.

What you need to know?

In 2012, the United States Congress enacted the “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century” bill, which included a provision requiring the FMCSA to develop a rule mandating the use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). The purpose of the ELD was to electronically record a driver’s Record of Duty Status (RODS), which replaces the paper log book that drivers use to record their compliance with Hours of Service (HOS) requirements. In December 2015, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published the final electronic logging device rule, or ELD Mandate. In accordance with the mandate, fleets have until December 2017 to implement certified ELDs to record HOS. Additionally, fleets that are already equipped with ELD technology will have until December 2019 to ensure compliance with the published specifications.

What does an ELD do?

ELDs installed in motor vehicles can monitor and record a whole host of data about the vehicle and its driver that go beyond RODS – from Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR) to driver behavior reporting on speeding, idling, and hard braking. Many systems are capable of integrating map and route optimization solutions as well, which can help drivers navigate through the best routes on any given day.

What are the benefits of ELD?

Besides being in compliance and avoiding heavy fees, many fleets are already seeing the benefits of ELDs, such as:

• Saves the drive time by reducing paperwork
• Keeps a dispatcher updated on a driver’s status, while letting them plan for loads better in light of HOS compliance needs
• Reduces the hassle of keeping a paper
• Tracks a driver’s HOS electronically
• Ensures drive segments are capture through being “integrally synchronized” with a truck’s engine
• Synchronizes driver with fleet manager by passing data to a system where one can see e-logs in a near real-time basis
• Save money by reducing fuel costs

Can I use rugged smartphones and tablets instead?

Knowing that there is a cost burden associated with adopting new technology, the FMCSA has authorized the use of rugged handhelds, smartphones, and tablets as the system as a whole meets ELD requirements, including a hardwired connection to the truck’s engine. This helps address the start-up costs associated with some of the HOS compliance systems. Furthermore, most truck drivers are already using rugged devices as part of their other operations, such as direct store delivery, signature capture, route optimization, and inventory management. They also allow the drivers the flexibility to choose from a wide range of mobile devices that they are comfortable using.

What are some mobile device options?

While there are hundreds of devices to choose from, here are some of the newest technologies that are ideal for the on-the-go driver:

• Zebra TC56 rugged smartphone
• Honeywell CT50 rugged smartphone
• Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1 rugged tablet
• Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet

To learn more about the ELD Mandate or to get a free consultation on an ELD hardware and software solution, reach out to one of our Barcodes, Inc. representatives.