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
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.