Chargenrückverfolgung
Also: Batch- Traceability, Batch Traceability, Chargen verfolgung, Chargen-Rückverfolgung, Losverfolgung, Batch-Rückverfolgung
AI-generated
Batch traceability refers to the complete and uninterrupted trackability of products and materials along the supply chain based on their batch assignment. It enables companies to quickly identify and selectively block all affected quantities in the event of a quality issue or recall.
Key facts
- Batch traceability enables the targeted identification of all affected quantities in the event of quality issues or recalls.
- The foundation is a unique batch identifier that is recorded by the system at every process step – from goods receipt to dispatch.
- Trace forward and trace back are the two central evaluation directions in batch traceability.
- Repackaging operations, mixing, and stock transfers are the most common causes of gaps in the batch trail.
- The minimum legal requirement in many industries is one step up, one step down – full traceability depth varies in implementation complexity depending on the vendor and industry.
What is batch traceability?
Batch traceability – often also referred to as batch traceability – is a company's ability to assign every unit of a product or material to its original batch and reconstruct its path through the supply chain. Batch information is recorded at every relevant process step: at goods receipt, in production, in the warehouse, during picking, and at dispatch. The result is a continuous data trail that can be evaluated quickly when needed – for example, in the event of a quality defect, a recall, or a regulatory inquiry.
How does batch traceability work in practice?
The foundation is a unique batch identifier assigned to each lot of raw materials, semi-finished goods, or finished products. This identifier is stored on the storage unit via barcode, 2D code, or RFID, and is recorded by the warehouse management system (WMS) or ERP system during every goods movement and stock transfer. A key distinction is made between two tracing directions:
- Trace Forward: Starting from a specific batch, it is determined which end products, orders, or deliveries it was incorporated into.
- Trace Back: Starting from a flagged product, it is traced back to determine which incoming deliveries and raw material batches it consists of.
In practice, challenges arise primarily where batches are mixed, repackaged, or transferred to new storage units. Each of these operations must be mapped in the system to ensure that batch trails remain unbroken. Many companies follow the principle of "one step up, one step down"
Related terms
- Barcode
A barcode is a machine-readable optical code that represents information as a pattern of bars and spaces or as a two-dimensional matrix. It enables the automatic identification of items, load carriers, and documents along the entire supply chain.
- Bestandsführung
Inventory management refers to the system-supported administration and continuous updating of all warehouse and material stocks within a company. It forms the basis for planning, procurement and accounting – and ensures that the book inventory and physical inventory are in agreement at all times.
- Charge
A batch is a uniquely identifiable quantity of products manufactured or processed under identical conditions. It forms the basis for traceability, quality control, and legally required recall processes throughout the entire supply chain.
- Cross-Docking
Cross-docking refers to a goods handling process in which items are transferred directly from inbound receiving to outbound shipping without interim storage. The goal is to reduce throughput times and avoid warehousing costs.
- Cross-Docking
Cross-docking is a logistics method in which goods are transferred directly from inbound to outbound transport at a transshipment point, without going through conventional put-away and storage.
- Kommissionierung
Order picking is the process of assembling individual items from warehouse stock to fulfill a specific customer order — the most labor-intensive step in the warehouse.