Traceability is the ability to retrieve the history of a product, its use or its location, in the sense given by ISO 9000. In manufacturing, it makes it possible, starting from a part, to go back to its original material, its batch, its operations, the machine, the operator, the inspections and the special processes it underwent. In the other direction, it makes it possible to find which customers received a given batch, which is decisive in the event of a fault or recall.
There are several levels. Batch traceability groups parts made under the same conditions; individual traceability assigns a serial number to each part. It relies on marking (laser engraving, dot peen, label, Data Matrix code) and on documents: route cards, inspection reports, treatment certificates and, at the start, the heat number linked to the material certificate.
It is required by aerospace (EN 9100), medical, rail, energy, automotive for safety parts and food processing. It has a cost: marking, data entry, archiving, batch sorting. The retention period for records is set by the contract or by sector regulations, and can run to many years. The ISO 9001 standard requires identification and traceability to be controlled where they are required. It is prepared with the first article and the process FMEA.
In a quote request
Specify the level of traceability expected (by batch or by serial number), the marking method and its location on the part, the documents to supply with the delivery and the retention period required. Do not ask for more than you need: individual traceability on a non-critical part raises the price with no benefit. To put these requirements in context, see the guide on ISO 9001, EN 9100 and ISO 13485 certifications.