Traceability
‘Momentum building for cattle traceability’ according to Beef Magazine. The New York Times is asking ‘Will blockchain fix the mineral traceability woes?’ The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has created a standard with a traceability mechanism to ensure that certified aluminium has been manufactured by certified producers at every stage. Meanwhile BIM Today reports that ‘verification processes and technology…improve quality by applying the concept of traceability, while reducing risk and waste’.
So traceability is in the news. And it is easy to find examples from almost any industry of how traceability is rising up the agenda. The drivers of this are both commercial and ethical. Traceability not only makes financial sense, but it is also the principal means of delivering sustainability – both social and environmental – in the supply chain.
Blockchain is often touted as the answer to traceability. But the problem is not as simple as that. Of course blockchains can help data to remain secure, but you have to get the right data into your systems in the first place. A blockchain can preserve false data as easily as it can preserve correct data.
But what data do you need in order to provide a useful level of traceability? And how much traceability do you already have in your supply chain? What about the demand chain – the activities down through the consumer to the end of life or re-cycling?
Adrian Henriques paper, ‘A History of Everything’ tries to answer some of those questions. It looks at what traceability means, how it needs to be distinguished form Chain of Custody, and what information you may need to capture to deliver it.
This article was originally published on 25 February 2019 as 'How much traceability is enough' on BRE Buzz. It was posted by Adrian Henriques.
--BRE Buzz
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.