Traceability

Technology & Systems

Definition

The ability to track a product's journey and components through the supply chain from origin to delivery.

Explanation

Traceability underpins recalls, authenticity, quality and ethical-sourcing claims by linking each item to its inputs, suppliers and movements. It is increasingly demanded by regulation and customers, and depends on consistent data capture at every step.

Example

Full traceability lets the manufacturer identify exactly which batches used a recalled component.

Related terms

Supply Chain Mapping — Documenting the suppliers, sites and flows in a supply chain, including lower tiers, to reveal dependencies and risk.
Blockchain in Supply Chain — The use of distributed-ledger technology to record supply-chain transactions in a shared, tamper-evident way.
Sub-Tier Visibility — Insight into the suppliers beyond your direct (first-tier) suppliers, deeper into the supply chain.
Quality Control (QC) — The inspection and testing of goods to detect defects and confirm they meet specification.

Related concepts

Supplier Management — Onboarding, qualifying, evaluating and governing the suppliers a business relies on — turning a scattered vendor list into a managed supply base.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Traceability?

The ability to track a product's journey and components through the supply chain from origin to delivery. Traceability underpins recalls, authenticity, quality and ethical-sourcing claims by linking each item to its inputs, suppliers and movements. It is increasingly demanded by regulation and customers, and depends on consistent data capture at every step.

Can you give an example of Traceability?

Full traceability lets the manufacturer identify exactly which batches used a recalled component.

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