What is product traceability?
Product traceability is the ability to connect a product, batch, pallet or shipment with recorded information about its history, movement, location, processing or distribution. Barcodes and RFID can provide identification and capture data at specific points, but neither represents the complete traceability process.
In this glossary:
- Traceability links an identifier to information recorded across relevant process and supply-chain steps; a single scan is only one data point.
- Record keeping is essential because identification alone cannot show the full history, movement or processing associated with a product or batch.
- GS1 combines unique identification, data capture and data sharing across trade items, assets, logistics groupings, parties and locations.
- Related applications include label inspection, lot and serial tracking, defect detection and automated rejection within correctly integrated production-line systems.
How does product traceability work?
Product traceability starts by identifying the product, batch, pallet, shipment or other relevant item at the level required by the process. Information captured at subsequent stages can then be associated with that identity to build a usable history.
Recorded identity and linked records
An implementation may identify a product or trade item, batch, pallet or shipment. The chosen identity can be associated with information describing processing, movement, distribution or changes in location.
A barcode scan or RFID read captures identification data at one point. That observation becomes useful for traceability when it is connected with the relevant process or supply-chain records.
Events across processing and distribution
Recorded information can cover the origin of materials and parts, processing history, distribution and location after delivery. Connecting these entries allows a later user or system to follow relevant changes across the product’s path.
Where tagged items pass through a defined transition point, an RFID portal can automate identification capture as assets move through the operation.
GS1 describes interoperable traceability through unique identification, data capture, recorded information and data sharing between supply-chain participants. Its framework covers trade items, assets, logistics groupings such as pallets and parcels, parties and locations.
What can product traceability cover in practice?
Within end of line automation, traceability can connect identification and inspection information with the product, batch, pallet or shipment leaving production. The exact scope depends on the production-line functions and records included.
Identification levels and participants
Traceability may be organised at product, batch, pallet or shipment level. GS1 also provides identification approaches for assets, parties and locations involved in supply-chain activity.
The selected level affects how much detail can later be retrieved. Batch-level identification, for example, provides a different traceability view from serial-level identification of an individual product.
At pallet level, a pallet identification system can apply the identifying label used to connect the load with the relevant downstream records.
Location and party information can add further context by showing where a relevant exchange or process occurred and which supply-chain participants were involved.
Production-line applications and system boundaries
Within a production line, vision inspection systems can support checks such as label inspection, barcode readability and defect detection. Automated rejection is another related application within a correctly specified wider system. These are functions of the wider system rather than automatic capabilities of every scanner, camera or reader.
Vision and identification systems can support these requirements where the production-line arrangement calls for them. Barcode scanners and RFID readers can contribute identification data at relevant capture points, while the wider traceability process depends on how that data is recorded and connected.
When product traceability is needed, choose the identification level according to what must remain connected to its origin, processing history, distribution or location. The requirement should define which information must be captured and retained, rather than starting with a particular reader or code technology.
How is product traceability different from code verification?
Product traceability and code verification can use the same machine-readable identification data, but they answer different operational questions. Traceability establishes history and movement. Code verification checks the code according to the applicable verification requirement.
Traceability connects identity to records and events
Traceability answers questions such as where a product or batch came from, what happened during processing and where it moved afterwards. A barcode or RFID observation can contribute data to that history without representing the complete process by itself.
Code verification checks quality or expected value
Code verification checks code quality and/or the expected encoded value according to the applicable verification method. Barcode or code reading performs the separate task of reading the information contained in the code.
A successful read does not by itself establish code quality or provide a complete traceability history.
Capture technologies are contributing components
On automated production lines, fixed mount barcode scanners can capture identification data at defined points for use in traceability records. RFID readers can perform a related identification role where RFID is used.
Their role is therefore one part of the process: the wider system must still associate the captured identity with the required processing, movement or distribution information.
What is the GS1 Global Traceability Standard?
The GS1 Global Traceability Standard describes a framework for interoperable supply-chain traceability.
At a high level, it combines unique identification, automatic data capture, record keeping and data sharing. Its scope includes trade items, assets, logistics groupings such as pallets and parcels, parties and locations.
These elements allow organisations to connect physical products and supply-chain participants with information about relevant processes, movement and distribution.
ALS Identify vision and identification systems for product traceability
Where product traceability requires production-line identification, inspection or data capture, ALS Identify supplies and integrates identification systems for applications including label inspection and lot or serial tracking.
Discuss the identification points, inspection requirements and records your process needs with ALS Identify.
