Expiry

Expiry, or expiration, is the point at which something becomes invalid, loses validity, or is no longer in a usable or safe condition. The term is used across many domains, including food, medicine, cosmetics, contracts, licenses, and warranties, to denote a defined end to a product’s or document’s effectiveness or authority.

In consumer goods, an expiry date on packaging indicates the time after which safety or quality cannot be guaranteed. Foods often use “best before” to signal quality, while items with safety implications may carry a “use by” date. After these dates, products may still be edible or usable, but manufacturers do not guarantee their safety or potency.

Medicines and cosmetics also carry expiry dates. Potency, efficacy, and safety can decline after expiry, and storage conditions can influence the rate of degradation. Expired medicines are generally not recommended for use and should be disposed of according to local regulations.

In legal and financial contexts, expiry marks the end of a term. Contracts, licenses, and warranties may have fixed end dates or conditions for renewal. Once expired, rights or obligations typically lapse unless renewed or extended by agreement or regulation.

Inventory and risk management often address expiry through tracking systems, batch numbers, and storage controls. Techniques such as first-expiry-first-out (FEFO) aim to minimize waste, ensure safety, and maintain compliance with labeling and regulatory requirements.

Overall, expiry defines a boundary in time beyond which a product, document, or obligation is no longer guaranteed to meet specified standards, necessitating action such as disposal, renewal, or replacement.