"Best Practices" 

Traceability is much more than just add a barcode or specify a batch number. It is a quality process quality !
You will have to:

  • update purchasing contracts to guarantee your suppliers' collaboration just in case
  • prepare customers' or authorities' audits
  • present required information as required ... in the given period (even during your holidays !)
  • keep this information for 2 years minimum
  • review production rules to lower risk premium (reduce production batch size)
  • contract specialised services (this data model is complex and VERY FEW SOFTWARE READY !)
  • review product hierarchy (barcodes)
  • become a member of "official" product identification bodies
  • print SSCC codes
  • create a fixed or flexible traceability chain and communicate with partners
  • ...
 

Monde Ideal 

In an ideal world, all is perfect and task are reduced to a minimum.
  • raw material / reception: barcode scans (automated) and electronic despatch advice matching;
  • product datasheetinformation and External traceability elements are exchanged between supplier and customer computer; data are saved automatically into customer ERP system;
  • incoming products / components quality control, rejection of products not passing the quality tests and product recall, notification to the management in charge to contact the supplier/haulier;
  • production: the software does propose ingredients to pick (ex: first in, first out - taking best before dates into account), print receipt ( including ingredients list, batch number and physical localisation in warehouse, required quantities) on a document containing the barcodes -- only corrections must be input;
  • warehouse: the batch number is calculated and printed on labels ( boxes and/or pallets ), together with the location where to stock the product;
  • customer orders ( received electronically ) are confirmed automatically ( EDI ), then printed ( with barcode );
  • product packing, shipping: check barcode (automated) and match against electronic despatch advice;
  • document exchange: electronic despatch advice and invoices are posted to the customer (EDI) .
European Commission and large retailer put the pressure and we are moving that way... But it will take time !
The solution EdiPax does propose today is already implementing best practices and you are investing into a 10 "valid" solution !
 

Internal traceability 

By law you must keep an input / output list (journal) containing the description of all items, together with the link between items. Your Internal traceability procedure will keep all relations between raw materials and finish goods, boxes (pallets) entering the plant and those leaving.
The same rules will be applied in case of distribution : keep the links between goos purchased and (re)sold.

Internal traceability
 
The law also define action to take :
  • TRACING : find customers to which you did ship those goods
  • TRACKING : search for the suppliers /shipments part of a production batch.
 
tracking tracing
 

External traceability 

To build Internal traceability information, you will have to keep the link from the incoming traceability data (date of production, best before date, batch number, quantity, SSCC, ...) to the outgoing traceability data.
By law, you must transfer traceability information to your customers.
Volumes are so large that there is only 1 way to go : electronically!
ERP (SAP)
+ EDI
+ Intranet
+ WWW
+ services 24/7
= External traceability
 

Logistic labels 

When packing (homogeneous parcels, pallets), they may contain traceability information !
When shipping (non homogeneous parcels, pallets), they cannot contain traceability information. You will have to open the boxes... !
GTIN
+ GLN
+ SSCC
+ EAN128
=Logistic labels
 
 

Minimum legal 

EdiPax is helping !
  • just open the document and fill information in;
  • you can print your barcode  labels and stick them on top of parcels and pallets you send to your customer: go on-line 
With EdiPax, exchange EDI electronic documents with Delhaize, Carrefour, Brico, ...
free of charge - click here: Net connectivity prices

It is a legal requirement throughout Europe, as from 1st January 2005 !
The solution EdiPax does propose today is already designed this way.
The solution EdiPax does propose today is demonstrating modern traceability method. 
Thanks to upwards compatibility you will be able to upgrade from the "Minimum legal" solution to more sophisticated solutions, step by step, at your pace !!
 
 

Basic Solution (EAN Basic) 

An ERP package is not required to implement the EdiPax solution, meeting "Best Practices" ( basic level) EAN requirements:

  • Reception and storage of raw materials/ goods in process
    • Nature of the incoming product (type of product, product name, brand)
    • Identification of that product (GTIN/batch number for crates/boxes or SSCC for pallets)
    • Quantity of the product
    • Reception date
    • Identification of the supplier (name, address, location)
    • Identification of the received products which do not meet the required quality standards
  • Production
    • Link between the GTIN/batch number or the SSCC of the received raw material(s) / good(s) in process and the new GTIN/batch number of the produced unit
    • For each following production phase : link between the GTIN/batch number(s) of the good(s) in process (either self produced or not) and GTIN/batch number of the newly produced unit
    • composition (for mixed products)
    • weight
    • production line
    • production date/hour/min.
  • Packing and labelling
    • GTIN/batch number of the crate/box and SSCC of the pallet
    • packing date
    • product quantity per packaged unit
    • In case of a box, crate, ... : GTIN + batch number in a UCC/EAN-128 bar code
    • In case of a pallet : EANUCC Logistics Label (product section) with UCC/EAN-128 bar code
    • Address data (Name-Address-Location) of the company
    • number/quantity of the retail units
  • Storage
    • Stack the units according to the FIFO system
    • Verify the quality of the stored unit
  • Order picking
    • Allocate an order number
    • Link of the new order number to the GTIN/batch number(s)/SSCC of each newly composed order
    • Quantity of packed unit(s) composing the order
  • Shipping
    • Link of the order number to the delivery address (customer)
    • Link of the truck’s license number to the order number
    • Information regarding transportation :
    • transport date
    • Label the logistic units with the EANUCC Logistics Label (transport section)
    • Verify the quality of the logistic units
    • Generate a delivery slip(paper) for the truck driver mentioning the following data :
    • identification of the logistic units (GTIN/batch numbers for boxes/crates and SSCC for pallets)
    • number/quantity of the logistic units
    • delivery address
    • transport date
  • You will find all "Best Practices" details, recommended by EAN, on http://www.eanbelgilux.be/PAGE/bestpractices_dec2003_ENG.doc

    Extras included in the package, to help you to:
    • you can print packing and shipping labels using a standard laser or thermic printer
    • we will keep a backup copy of your data inside our environment during the required period
    • 8 European languages to input and print your despatch advices and your invoices, including the traceability information of the products you sell, following legal requirements
    Thanks to upwards compatibility, you will be able to move from the "EAN-Basic" solution to more sophisticated solutions, step by step, at your pace !!
    + implementation of Internal traceability and data entry automation
    + implement EAN High "level", recommended "Best Practices"
    		•
     
     

    Advanced solution - EAN High 

    A CAPM / ERP is recommended but not required to implement the EdiPax solution meeting "Best Practices" ( high level) EAN requirements:

    On top of "Basic solution" :

    • Reception and storage of raw materials/ goods in process
      • Identification of the transport operator
      • Control data on quality of the received products
      • Party identification codes of the previous partner(s) in the chain
    • Production
      • results of quality controls
      • country of origin
    • Packing and labelling
      • results of quality controls
      • the different GTIN/batch numbers composing the package
      • country of origin
      • Verify the quality of the packed unit
      • Scan the EAN bar codes when entering into stock
    • Storage
      • a company premise (storage room, cooling cell, ...)
      • a pallet location
    • Shipping
      • results of quality controls
      • information on the truck driver (name, company, ...)
      • Generate and send the despatch advice (DESADV message)
    • EdiPax EDI connectivity, to exchange documents with your customers
    • Your External traceability on the WWW
    • You will find all "Best Practices" details, recommended by EAN, on http://www.eanbelgilux.be/PAGE/bestpractices_dec2003_ENG.doc

    Thanks to upwards compatibility you will be able to upgrade to the "EAN-high" requirement and / or more sophisticated solutions, step by step, at your pace !!

     
     

    Tailored solutions 

    Wed also do propose you:
    • automated data exchange from/to you ERP software, to save data entry ( resource saving and higher quality )
    • site specific solutions
    • Internal traceability implementation
     

    References 

     
    Some questions ? More information ? Send a message à info@edipax.com
     
    Refer (Internet search engine):
    -Le moniteur Belge du 12 Decembre 2003 publie l'arrête royal du 14 NOVEMBRE 2003 relatif à l'autocontrôle, à the notification obligatoire and à the traceability dans the chaîne alimentaire sous les references "F. 2003 -- 4704 C -- 2003/23054"
    -general food safety - 1992/59/CEE - 29 june 1992
    -Batch Identification - 89/396/CEE - 14 june 1989
    -AR de l’ AFSCA du 14 novembre 2003 en matière d’autocontrôle, de notification obligatoire and de traceability dans the chaîne alimentaire
    -AR du 9 fevrier 1990 relatif à l’identification du lot auquel appartient a denree alimentaire
    -Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)
    -ISO9000
    -Sector specific guides published by professional associations