Freigabezeitpunkt

Freigabezeitpunkt describes the point in time when something is authorised to move from its current state to the next stage or to the market. The term is used across domains such as manufacturing, software development, publishing and regulatory affairs. It denotes the moment when validation, quality assessment and formal approval are sufficient to grant release, shipment or publication.

In manufacturing and quality management, the Freigabezeitpunkt follows successful completion of specified inspections, tests and audits. A batch, lot or product is released only after passing quality control and is documented in a Freigabeprotokoll or Freigabeurkunde. The decision typically depends on validation of processes, stability data, supplier qualifications and risk assessment, and is made by the authorised person or quality function.

In software and IT, Freigabezeitpunkt refers to the moment a build or feature set is released to production. It is governed by release management processes, and depends on test results, security checks and compliance reviews. Activities around the release may include a feature freeze, change-control approval and the preparation of release notes and deployment plans.

In publishing or media, Freigabezeitpunkt denotes editorial and legal approval before content becomes publicly accessible. This can involve checks for copyright, privacy, factual accuracy and compliance with advertising or sector-specific rules.

In regulated industries the Freigabezeitpunkt is often defined by formal regulatory or contractual criteria. Premature release may carry legal or safety risks, while delays can affect supply chains, market readiness or compliance schedules. The concept is closely linked to terms such as Freigabe, Abnahme and Release management.