Batch numbers and serial numbers

There are various types of goods that require accounting by batches and individual product units. For this reason batch numbers and serial numbers are used.

Such goods are usually labeled at production, then information can be found in the accounting system at the manufacturer and those who are selling these products.

Using these numbers, you can retrospectively track, for example, which components or raw materials were used to produce the products. Among other things, this allows you to identify the causes of problems, if they arise after the goods are sold.

Batch number is a number belonging to a certain amount of goods that have the same characteristics and are produced by a batch (series). Using the batch number you can trace production date, expiration date and other specifications of the goods in this batch.

Serial number is a unique number that belongs to a specific product unit. By this number you can determine a specific unit of products, features of that unit, production date, the production facility and other information about the unit.

Batch management and serial number management are primarily used for goods that expire (food, medicines, cosmetics), goods with warranty or that need to be traced (electronics, tools), or goods whose origin needs to be traced for security reasons.

In many countries it is a legal requirement to be able to trace food through batch numbering. In the event of a recall of a certain food product, tracking by batch number can make it possible to quickly identify which goods are affected and which are not.