Material traceability can be defined as the capacity of a testing laboratory to monitor the records of a test sample in terms of its application, location, history, and processing. It makes sure that the results of the test are associated directly with the right material, batch, or lot that was sent to be analyzed. Traceability is not an option in accredited laboratories but an essential compliance issue under the standards of quality, like ISO and ASTM practices. Traceability is effective in avoiding sample mix-up, misidentification, and loss of data, and all of this may result in degradation of test results. In the modern competitive and regulated world, labs should use effective traceability practices to stay credible and attractive to customers.
Principle and Methodology
The material traceability principle relies on the identification of uniqueness and constant record-keeping. All samples that are in the laboratory have their own identification code that tracks them during storage, preparation, testing, and reporting. The used methodology includes controlled labeling, standardized logbooks, or computerized laboratory information management systems, and defined handling procedures. Traceability records involve descriptions of sample origin, receipt date, methodology of test, equipment involved, and personnel involved. These records form a chain of information that cannot be broken, and, as a result, the test result can be traced to the source of the material.
