According to ISO 9000 (ISO, 2000), traceability is the ability to trace the history, application or location of that which is under consideration.

How can String help?

Using String, this means tracing a product back through complex extended supply chains and processes of mixing and blending to provide a complete 'product history' for each unique batch of products. By tracing at batch level it becomes clear that each batch of product can have a unique history, from the processing date and time, the batch numbers of inputs to the product, the amount of energy used, the country of origin of raw materials to the factories in which it was produced. Only by tracing in this way is it possible to gain an accurate picture of the path your particular product took to reach you.

Why is Batch Level Traceability important?

For brands and retailers

Brands and retailers are facing increasing pressure to provide more and more information about their products in order to reduce risk, substantiate claims and increase sales. In order to answer these questions fully, and to have an accurate picture of risk in the supply chain, it is essential to trace at batch level to understand not just where your products are 'usually' made, but the actual supply chain for each batch, right back to raw materials.

For suppliers

Batch Level Traceability gives you the opportunity to understand more about your product, and to differentiate your product in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Using String, you can directly link your product to your sustainability programme, social compliance standards, energy efficient production methods - aspects that are usually difficult to quantify in terms of product value. What's more, you can also save time and money by providing data to all of your customers in one, centralised online platform - greatly reducing the need to complete multiple paperwork requests from each of your customers.