GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Traceability
Unlike simple shipment tracking, traceability is the verified ability to follow a product through every stage of the supply chain – from raw material extraction to the end consignee.
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Source: https://www.gs1.org/standards/traceability
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Unlike simple shipment tracking, traceability is the verified ability to follow a product through every stage of the supply chain – from raw material extraction to the end consignee. It depends on systematically recorded data at each production, processing, and transport step, made accessible via serial numbers, barcodes, RFID tags, or integrated digital platforms. In food, pharmaceutical, and hazardous goods logistics, traceability is a legal requirement and the operational backbone of any product recall procedure. Customs authorities rely on traceability data to verify origin declarations and preferential tariff claims. Carriers and freight forwarders increasingly embed traceability requirements into service contracts as shippers face tighter regulatory scrutiny across major trade lanes.
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