DoD Shelf Life
DoD Shelf Life is the best source of information on the DoD Shelf Life program and training.
What is Shelf-Life?
The total period of time beginning with the date of manufacture, cure, assembly, or pack (subsistence only), that an item may remain in the combined wholesale (including manufacturer's) and retail storage systems, and still remain usable for issue and/or consumption by the end user.
What are some typical Shelf-Life Items?
Typical Shelf-Life items include food, medicines, batteries, paints, sealants, adhesives, film, tires, chemicals, packaged petroleum products, hoses/belts, mission-critical o-rings, and Nuclear/Biological/Chemical equipment and clothing.
What is SLES (Shelf-Life Extension System)?
SLES is the DoD Shelf-Life management system for internal shelf-life policy information for the supply chain (life-cycle management) of standard and hazardous shelf-life items contained in the Federal supply system.
How is the SLES web site utilized?
SLES users search the Materiel Quality Control Storage Standards (MQCSS) and Quality Status List (QSL) databases to view data elements required to determine if a shelf-life NSN can be extended. MQCSS provides guidance on inspection, testing, and storage requirements for Type II extendible shelf-life materiel. MQCSS is the authority for shelf-life extension when visible inspection only is required. QSL contains the results of previously completed laboratory extension testing. QSL testing results with supply condition code 'A' may be used as the authority to extend Type II shelf-life materiel if it has been stored and packaged properly.
Effective Aug. 18, 2017, all SLES users must request a new job role via Account Management and Provisioning System (AMPS). If you have not registered for an account via AMPS, click the Request Access button below to be directed to the AMPS website.