What type of items typically undergo the DoD Shelf-Life Program?

The DoD Shelf-Life Program encompasses a broad range of items that require specific management to ensure their reliability and effectiveness over time. This program includes packaging materials, chemicals, food products, and pharmaceuticals because these items are subject to degradation, spoilage, or loss of effectiveness if not properly stored and monitored.

Each of these categories presents unique challenges and considerations. For instance, food products have specific expiration dates that must be followed to ensure safety and nutritional value, while pharmaceuticals may lose potency or become unsafe after a designated shelf-life. Packaging materials can also degrade, impacting the storage and integrity of other items.

Thus, the inclusivity of various item types reflects the necessity of maintaining quality control and safety in the Department of Defense supply chain, ensuring mission readiness and operational effectiveness. Items like military uniforms or electronic components, while important, do not undergo the same level of management in terms of shelf-life considerations and are therefore not representative of the scope of the DoD Shelf-Life Program.