Serial and Batch Tracking for Compliance: Electronics, Pharma, Agri
Serial and batch tracking for compliance means recording serial and/or batch at receipt and at sale, and being able to report what's in stock by serial/batch, what was sold from which batch, and which units or batches are affected by a recall. That's what compliance and auditors expect in electronics, pharma, and agri.
In this article
- When you need serial tracking vs batch tracking
- How to set up serial and batch tracking for audits
- Using serial tracking for warranty management
- Traceability, recalls, and audit readiness
When do I need serial tracking vs batch tracking?
Batch (lot) tracking is used when you need to trace by production run or receipt—common in pharma, food, and agri. Serial tracking is used when you need to trace each unit—common in electronics and high-value equipment for warranty and support. Some industries need both: batch for raw materials or bulk, serial for finished units.
| Tracking type | Use when | Typical industries |
|---|---|---|
| Batch (lot) | Trace by production run or receipt; recall by batch | Pharma, food, agri, chemicals |
| Serial | Trace each unit; warranty, support, recalls by serial | Electronics, industrial equipment, high-value items |
| Both | Batch for bulk/raw; serial for finished units | Electronics (batch for components, serial for devices), pharma (batch + serial for controlled) |
How do I set up serial and batch tracking for audits?
At goods receipt, record batch (and serial where required) for each line. At sale or issue, assign or confirm the batch (and serial). Your system stores this on every movement. Reports then show stock by batch/serial, movements by batch/serial, and recall impact. For electronics, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural supply, this is the baseline for regulatory and customer audits.
How do I use serial tracking for warranty management?
Record serial at receipt and at sale so each unit is linked to a customer and date. When a customer claims warranty, you look up the serial: purchase date, warranty end date, return history. For more on warranty, read serial number tracking for warranty management.
One system that does batch and serial, with the right reports, keeps you compliant and recall-ready.