HERMA Labels Solutions Retail and consumer goods

Batch tracing of commercial goods

Implement the traceability of commercial goods efficiently thanks to batch labels

Traceability is an essential basis for compliance with safety and quality standards. It plays a major role in all production and processing procedures, in logistics and in the distribution and transport of products. The aim here is to be able to determine at any time when and where goods are processed or moved – and by whom. The route any product has taken can be traced without any gaps. Errors in the production process can be identified, and the causes of the errors can be determined and remedied. In this way, traceability also uncovers significant weaknesses and possible optimisation potential. It ensures security for manufacturers and consumers.

Traceability is essential in many industries – and in some of them, it is even legally required. Batch tracing enables products, batches and certain ingredients or special product features to be traced back to the manufacturer (this is known as ‘upstream tracing’, from consumer to producer). For example, the manufacturer can also use batch tracing to trigger recall actions in case of product defects (known as ‘downstream tracing’, from producer to consumer). In the food industry, the pharmaceutical sector, the automotive industry and in railway & aircraft construction, traceability via the supply chain is crucial – and it’s regulated by law.

Retail landscape, shopping center
Batch tracing – essential for the retail industry

Examples of traceability requirements

  • Economic advantages of batch tracing

    A functioning traceability system also offers companies economic advantages – it allows manufacturers to take early and targeted corrective action, such as a delivery stop to prevent further damage. The traceability of the materials used across all production stages with the help of batch numbers is indispensable for effective quality management. Detecting the causes of defects when complaints arise also makes a significant contribution to more product safety within the framework of Continuous Improvement Processes.

  • Downstream tracing

    In downstream tracing, a production batch or a single product (serial number) is labelled for identification purposes. Ideally, manufacturers keep track of where their products are throughout the entire value chain. Examples here are cars and household appliances, which are subject to dealer warranty and manufacturer’s guarantee. Registration processes for software programs also serve this purpose. In the event of quality defects, traceability enables the manufacturer to recall products, averting more damage and preventing more product liability claims. Recall actions in the automotive sector are an example of downstream tracing.

  • Upstream tracing

    Upstream tracing focuses on the traceability of a product from the consumer to the producer, to quickly identify the causes and origins of problems with the product. This is very important since it protects consumers from further damage. Nowadays, consumers also want to know where the ingredients come from, e.g. in the case of food. Examples of this are guarantees of origin in the form of QR codes on frozen fish packaging. They provide information about the location where the fish was caught or reared.

  • Unambiguous identification thanks to batch numbers

    The batch number is unique. Also known as lot number or serial number depending on the industry in question, it is assigned to a specific production batch that is manufactured together and has the same ingredients. The batch number is usually marked on the packaging in the form of alphanumeric numbers for unique identification. Such numbers are managed in merchandise management systems, so-called ‘tracking and tracing systems’, also known as batch tracking, which accompanies the product en route to the consumer.

Label solutions for traceability

Labels are an efficient way of allocating ingredients to a particular batch in incoming goods areas – and of clearly identifying end products with batch and serial numbers. Labels control internal processes and ensure a smooth production flow. They are the source of all relevant information on the end product.

We are all familiar with batch labels in our daily lives: we see them on folding boxes, egg cartons, frozen goods, pasta packaging, meat packaging, etc. HERMA produces unprinted labels on rolls for these usage scenarios. The labels are individually printed on thermal transfer printers by the manufacturer of the product and include barcode, batch number and batch description information.

Yet another HERMA strength is the design and production of fully printed barcode labels on rolls. We will print all barcode types for you, with fixed or consecutive numbering – and we can also offer you database-supported processing and management of your number ranges. HERMA will use different adhesive materials from its in-house production to meet your requirements and more than match the demands made on the service life of the label.

We’ll be happy to advise you!

We will work with you to develop the batch labels you need for identifying your products – from the selection of materials all the way to printing. Just talk to us.

HERMA employee in customer service, homepage of the online shop We will be happy to advise you!

Special industry solutions:

Learn more about

On roll: Blank Thermal transfer labels

For colour inkjet roll printers: Blank Inkjet labels on roll

Printed with consecutive or fixed numbering: Barcode labels

Traceability with batch labelling in the food industry

Traceability in the automotive industries and railway industries