Security standards: EADMS & DIN 66399

Currently, the most widely used security standards are EADMS and DIN 66399. In many aspects these 2 standards are quite the same, however, there are 2 important differences.

In the case of DIN 66399, whether a shredder can meet a particular standard (particle size) is self-proclaimed (by the manufacturer). In the case of EADMS a notary certified audit is done to determine the achievable particle size in relation to the machine settings.

The other important difference is the allowable deviation. The allowed deviation from the recommended particle size in the DIN 66399 standard is much greater than the equivalent standard within EADMS. For example: standard H5 in DIN 66399 requires 90% of the particles to be less than 320 mm² but allows for 10% to be as big as 800 mm². This in itself already disqualifies H5 as acceptable for classified data.

Below table illustrates the difference in allowable deviation for each standard:

DIN H-5 Particle size Quantity within 1000 particles
90% « 320 mm2 900
10% « 800 mm2 100
EA DMS ‘C’
92,5% « 300 mm2 925
5% « 400 mm2 50
1,5% « 500 mm2 15
0,75% « 600 mm2 7
0,25% « 800 mm2 2

 

Achieved results MAXXeGUARD, cutting 3,5” magnetic HD’s, at 1 mm cut length:

Particle size                                    % of particles  
<< 100 mm²                                               68 %  
100 – 200 mm²                                          18 %  
200 – 240 mm²                                         12 %  

Footnote:  the particle size was determined by weight of each platter particle as a % of the weight of a complete platter. Small variations may occur.  Further reduction of the particles can be achieved by performing a cross-cut.


Downloads
EA DMS standards E (PDF)
DIN 66399 (PDF)