§4.2.1 Why does Traceability matter?

Traceability is the ability to trace the history of the product. From a regulator’s perspective, traceability matters because it enables effective enforcement through market surveillance via corrective measures including withdrawals and recalls. It enables unsafe or non-compliant products to be traced up the distribution chain and identifies roles and responsibilities of the economic operator throughout the chain. Traceability enables market surveillance authorities to trace products up to the factory gate and from factory to the end-user in certain cases. From a manufacturer’s perspective traceability matters because it enables effective control of the production process and suppliers before the marketing of the products, and control of their distribution chain after the placing of the product on the market. In case of non-compliance, manufacturers are able to reduce the impact of recalls or withdrawals depending on the detail of their traceability system.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-09-07