The facility implements an internal traceability system that tracks chemicals used in production.

Version 1 - Last updated 06 Aug 2026

Record lot/batch numbers of all chemicals purchased by the facility in the Chemical Inventory List (CIL) and in the production recipe sheets/logs.

Recording lot/batch numbers

Chemicals (formulations, commodity chemicals and solvents) should be purchased with the lot or batch number from the chemical supplier. This information should be recorded in the Chemical Inventory List (CIL) for each chemical listed.

The batch or lot number of the chemical used in the production of an article/product should also be recorded in the recipe sheets/log books of each production batch so that it can be traced back from the finished article to the chemical inventory.

This data helps in undertaking a root cause analysis of any ZDHC MRSL non-conformity of substances in the final article or wastewater or sludge testing.

Traceability system

Suppliers should implement a system of traceability (digital or manual) of chemicals from chemical stores to finished products, including all processes involved (recipes).

Usage type inventory

In order to implement a traceability system suppliers are encouraged to document their inventory as “usage type” using the formula:

Example 1

On 1 August, a supplier had 500kg of softener in stock, and during that month, the facility received another 200kg. At the end of August, 450 kg of the softener was left in stock.

USAGE QUANTITY in August = (500 kg + 200 kg) – 450 kg = 250 kg

Example 2

At the beginning of September, there was 600 kg of softener stock. During this month, the facility received an additional 150 kg of softener. By the month's end, they still have 750 kg in stock as they did not use any softener.

USAGE QUANTITY in September = (600 kg + 150 kg) - 750 kg = 0 kg

In this scenario, the usage quantity for September would be 0 kg since no chemical (softener) was consumed during the month.

Example 3

In October, if there was no initial stock of the wetting agent (0 kg) at the start of the month, the facility received a delivery of 300 kg during this month. By the end of October, there were still 300 kg of the wetting agent in stock.

USAGE QUANTITY in October = (0 kg + 300 kg) - 300 kg = 0 kg

In this scenario, the usage quantity for October is 0 kg since the entire delivered amount remains unused.

The usage type inventory also helps suppliers with traceability when conducting root cause analysis for non-conformities for RSL in final articles and for wastewater testing in the ClearStream Report.

The traceability system can be implemented as a manual system of checking through production recipe sheets or digitised using ERP systems.

The chemicals that are purchased by a facility must be recorded in the CIL and this must be updated on a regular basis for additions or deletions in the chemical inventory.