Nachverfolgbarkeitssystem

Nachverfolgbarkeit, often translated as traceability, is the ability to trace the origin, history, location, or use of an object or data. The term is widely used in German-speaking industries and standards to describe a documented chain of custody or data lineage.

In supply chains, nachverfolgbarkeit enables tracking a product from raw material to consumer through serialization, lot numbering, barcodes or RFID, and integrated information systems. It supports safety, recalls, and regulatory compliance, with standards such as GS1 identifiers and ISO 22005 for the food chain.

In information technology, it refers to data provenance and auditability—records of creation, modification, and access that allow reconstruction of events and verification of integrity. Blockchain-based approaches have been explored to enhance trust, though they raise cost and privacy considerations.

Challenges include data quality, interoperability among systems, and balancing openness with privacy. Successful implementation requires governance, clear data models, and reliable data capture.

See also: traceability, provenance, audit trail, data lineage, supply-chain transparency.