Documentation · 4 min read
Lot traceability for research materials
A practical record structure connecting purchase, receipt, storage, and laboratory use to one lot identifier.
Use one durable identifier
The supplier lot should appear on receiving records, storage logs, aliquot labels, and experiment records. Avoid replacing it with an internal nickname unless the cross-reference is retained.
Record custody changes
Document receipt date, package condition, storage location, transfers, and the person responsible for each handoff. This establishes where the material was held without making claims about its suitability for a particular study.
Link supporting files
Keep the purchase record, COA, photographs of labels when appropriate, and any discrepancy communications together. A consistent folder or laboratory information system naming rule reduces retrieval time during review.