Short Answer — Supply Chain Traceability
Traceability in the supply chain is the ability to show, through records, where a product or production batch came from, which operations it went through and to whom it went, from raw material to final delivery. It makes it possible to quickly find which lot is where in recalls, the fight against counterfeiting and quality disputes; in food, pharmaceutical and energy projects it is a requirement of legislation or contract.
Are traceability and visibility the same thing?
The two concepts are often confused. Supply chain visibility answers the question "where is the cargo right now?"; traceability answers "from which raw material, which batch and through whose hands did this part get here?". One looks at the current location, the other at a backward-looking chain of records.
| Criterion | Visibility | Traceability |
|---|---|---|
| Time direction | Now and estimated arrival | Past and origin |
| Unit | Vehicle, container, shipment | Lot, serial number, part |
| Typical use | Delay management | Recalls, audits, disputes |
In which sectors is it mandatory?
- Food: The EU's Regulation No 178/2002, known as the General Food Law, requires businesses to be able to show from whom they received a product and to whom they supplied it; this principle is known as "one step back, one step forward". In Türkiye, Law No. 5996 imposes a similar obligation on food and feed business operators.
- Pharmaceuticals: In Türkiye, the Pharmaceutical Track and Trace System (İlaç Takip Sistemi, İTS) tracks medicines individually by QR code from production or import to the end user. In storage and distribution, the temperature history is also part of the chain; it is measured with temperature data logger devices.
- Energy and nuclear projects: The equipment's material certificate, welding records, inspection reports and shipping documents are linked by part number; nuclear equipment traceability is the example where this chain is kept in the greatest detail.
How is traceability set up?
- Choose a unique identifier. GTIN and lot number for the product, a GS1 SSCC label for the shipping unit, a serial or project part code for equipment.
- Define the recording points. Goods receipt, entry into production, packing, dispatch, transhipment and delivery. At each point a "what, when, where, who" record is kept.
- Link the document chain. The invoice, packing list, transport document and certificates refer to the same identifier.
- Share the data. Automatic transfer via EDI or API is set up between the supplier, the logistics company and the buyer; in some sectors, blockchain-based shared ledgers are being trialled.
- Test it. At least once a year, a mock recall exercise measures how many hours it takes to find all buyers of a selected lot.
How do logistics documents contribute to the chain?
| Document or record | Contribution to traceability |
|---|---|
| Packing list | Shows which lot is in which carton or crate |
| CMR, bill of lading | Documents to which carrier and on which date the cargo was handed over |
| Seal number | Proof of whether the load was opened on the way |
| Temperature record | Shows that the product's conditions were maintained along the chain |
| Delivery report | Records the last link in the chain and any reservations |
Common mistakes
- Keeping the lot number in production but not writing it on the shipping documents; the chain breaks at the warehouse.
- Not recording the match between the old label and the new contents when rearranging pallets in the warehouse.
- Leaving subcontracted carriers and transhipment points out of the records.
- Keeping records only on paper; during a recall, searching through hundreds of documents by hand takes days instead of hours.
How does Voltim Global support you?
Voltim Global's ISO 28000 supply chain security certification requires shipment records and the chain of delivery to be kept auditable. Vehicle location and delivery information are shared with the cargo owner via the customer panel and daily reports through vehicle tracking based on the driver app.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between lot tracking and serial number tracking?
In lot tracking, a batch produced under the same conditions is tracked with a single number; if a problem occurs, the whole batch is recalled. In serial number tracking, each product or part is unique, so a recall can be narrowed down to individual units. Lot tracking is common in food, serialisation at pack level in pharmaceuticals, and part-level serial tracking in nuclear and heavy equipment.
How is a mock recall exercise carried out?
A lot is selected at random, and its raw materials, production records, all the buyers it was shipped to and the remaining stock are found from the records. The time taken and any missing links are reported. The aim is to be able to retrieve the entire chain within a few hours. The exercise should also include the logistics company; otherwise gaps in warehouse and transport records remain invisible.
Where should a small exporter start with traceability?
The first step is to write the lot number in the same format on the invoice, packing list and carton label for every shipment. Next, goods receipt and dispatch records are kept by lot in a simple spreadsheet. If the buyer asks for GS1 labels, move to SSCC. These three steps meet the expectations of most buyers in food and packaging without moving to advanced software.