Building traceability into antimony shipments

Understanding the subject

Traceability connects the physical material to the records used to describe it. Lot identifiers, packing references and report numbers should allow the receiving team to connect a delivery with its agreed documents.

What it means in practice

A traceability plan need not begin with complex software. It can begin with a consistent identifier used on the offer, packing list, sample records and quality documents. The required level should reflect the buyer’s acceptance process.

Bring it into your next discussion

Before shipment, check that document references are consistent. This is especially useful when several lots or several sample reports are under discussion at the same time.

• Use a clear lot identifier.
• Link samples and assay reports to that lot.
• Match shipment documents to package labels.