Erätiedot

Erätiedot are batch information used in Finnish manufacturing and logistics to identify and describe a specific production lot of a product. They enable traceability: by linking a unit to its batch, companies can determine its origin, production conditions, and distribution history. Erätiedot support quality control, recalls, inventory management, regulatory reporting, and customer inquiries.

A typical erätiedot record includes the batch or lot number, product identifier, production date and time, expiry date or shelf life, quantity produced, packaging details, manufacturing site or line, raw material lot numbers, process parameters, quality control results, and the current status (for example released, quarantined, or recalled). It may also include destination information to track movement through the supply chain.

Data are generated and stored in systems such as manufacturing execution systems (MES), enterprise resource planning systems (ERP), laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and warehouse management systems (WMS). Barcodes or serial numbers and standards like GS1 are commonly used to capture and exchange erätiedot, facilitating track-and-trace across suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.

Applications of erätiedot include product recalls, batch-based release decisions, inventory optimization, regulatory reporting, and data analytics for quality improvement. In many industries—especially food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and cosmetics—robust erätiedot are essential for safety, accountability, and compliance.

Challenges include ensuring data quality and consistency across systems, integrating information from multiple sources, and maintaining accurate historical records over time.