What is Traceability and Why is it Important?

Under EU law suppliers must know where all of their products come from. This means being able to trace (via recorded documentation) something back to its source to verify every step of the production and distribution process. As suppliers are solely responsible for the end product, traceability is incredibly important for a number of reasons.

Why Is Traceability So Important?

The manufacturing industry is truly global; American suppliers use factories in India who source raw materials from China. The supply chain for just one product can be extremely complex, which is why traceability is a legal requirement in many sectors. Traceability has three key benefits; it increases supply chain visibility, improves quality control systems and reduces risk.

By keeping a record of the entire production and distribution history, suppliers are able to react quickly to any issues. In the case of a product recall, for example, suppliers can determine the source of the problem and tell distributors to remove the product from shelves. This protects the supplier from legal action and the consumer from a potentially dangerous product.

Traceability can also be used to prove certain attributes of a product such as its ethical credentials or country of origin. As consumers become more aware of how products are made and the issues surrounding manufacturing, transparency is valued.

To find out more about the importance of traceability, read this article: A Traceable Method for Verifying the Performance of 96- / 384-well Pipettes.

Accuracy of Measurements

In metrology (the science of measurement), traceability is widely defined as the “property of a measurement result whereby the result can be related to a reference through a documented unbroken chain of calibrations, each contributing to the measurement uncertainty”.

In layman’s terms, this simply means that traceability allows the accuracy of measurement results to be established. Measurement accuracy is an essential part of quality control, which is why standards for weights and measures are maintained by a National Measurement Institute.

How is Measurement Traceability Used?

Generally speaking traceability is used to measure items that need a greater level of accuracy than normal. This could be anything from a four-to-one greater accuracy right up to a 10-to-one greater accuracy. These are usually measured to a national standard, as advised by The National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Traceability can be used to measure and calibrate all sorts of equipment and items, including measuring equipment itself (thermometers et al). In industries where tools and apparatus are measured, a standard of at least four-to-one greater accuracy is recommended. It may also be necessary to provide a certificate of accuracy which contains all of the necessary information.

Depending on the industry and the items to be measured, it is possible that you may be required to show traceability to two standards.