Genealogy/Traceability

Definition

Genealogy, often used interchangeably with traceability in manufacturing, refers to the ability to trace a batch's complete history such as the raw material lots consumed, equipment used, personnel involved, and process steps performed, both forward (where did this material go) and backward (where did this batch's materials come from).

Benefits

Strong batch genealogy is what makes an effective, fast product recall possible: if a raw material lot is later found to be defective, genealogy data lets a manufacturer immediately identify every finished batch that used it, rather than having to review broad swaths of unrelated production.

Use Case

A raw material supplier issues a recall on a specific lot. Using the EBR system's genealogy data, the manufacturer's quality team instantly identifies the three finished batches that incorporated material from that lot, enabling a targeted, rapid response rather than a broad precautionary recall.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Related Terms

• Traceability
• Bill of Materials (BOM) Chain of Custody