DEC

1) Drug Evaluation Classification programme. Training package for police forces to detect drug drivers. See also DIRT and FIT.

Debenture

1) Long-term (usually) fixed interest loan to a business for which a ‘debenture’ (ie certificate) is issued. May be secured against the firm’s assets (or a specific asset) in case the firm goes into liquidation - or may not be secured.

‘Dead’ (and ‘light’) working

1) Situation where a bus or train, for example, has to be worked (ie run) back to its base or terminal either to operate the next service or for maintenance. Invariably these operations are conducted without carrying fare-paying passengers and are thus dead or light so far as revenue earning is concerned.

De-coupling stock

1) Inventory accumulated between dependent activities in the goods flow to reduce the need for completely synchronized operations. (Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

DDP

1) Delivered duty paid. Incoterm used mainly in shipping to indicate that the shipment will be delivered to a named destination with all relevant duties paid. See also DDU below.

DDA

1) (1) Disability Discrimination Act 1995. An Act to protect the interests of disabled persons at work or who want to work (eg at home). (2) Duty deferment account. Term used in connection with payment of customs duty.