09.16.14
In the context of raw material suppliers, traceability is the ability to identify and trace a material throughout the supply chain. Key to ensuring traceability is an integrated supply chain, which entails a system for coordinating all activities across partners. While the buyer typically creates this system, the buyer needs to work together with the supplier to implement it. Having an integrated supply chain—one where the supplier uses raw materials and intermediate materials produced within their own organization—helps a supplier to ensure good traceability of the upstream materials it uses.