GFTBL Critical Tracking Events
Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) are the skeleton of a traceability system. They define the points at which data must be captured to ensure continuity of information. Most supply chains share a common…
Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) are the skeleton of a traceability system. They define the points at which data must be captured to ensure continuity of information. Most supply chains share a common set of CTEs that are broadly applicable across industries and commodities
The Global Traceability Framework for Beef & Leather (GFTBL) defines the following CTEs:
- Commission
- Decommission
- Ship
- Receive
- Aggregate
- Disaggregate
- Transformation
An event in which a new product instance is created/documented for the first time. These events typically occur in the far upstream steps of a supply chain.
An event in which a product instance is removed from a supply chain. These events typically occur when a product is consumed or must be removed from the supply chain due to damage or defects.
An event in which a product is shipped from one physical location to another. Shipping events can occur internally (between facilities owned by the same organization) or externally (between facilities owned by different organizations).
An event in which products are received at a facility from another facility. Receiving events can occur internally (between facilities owned by the same organization) or externally (between facilities owned by different organizations).
An event in which one or more distinct products are physically grouped together. Aggregation is always reversible, and usually performed for shipping, storage, or other logistical purposes, such as combining multiple cases on a pallet.
An event in which previously aggregated products are separated, such as breaking down a pallet into distinct cases.
An event that involves irreversible changes to a product's form or configuration, such as manufacturing, processing, packaging, re-packing, re-labeling, or commingling.
Alignment with GS1
A consistent, standardized event structure is essential for establishing digital traceability across supply chains because it ensures that every actor records and shares information in the same predictable way. This standardization makes data interoperable, comparable, and useful from end to end—regardless of the product, location, or system used.
GS1s EPCIS standard provides this structure by using a standardized “event vocabulary” to describe supply chain activities in a clear, uniform format. Instead of treating every data capture as a generic record, EPCIS organizes information into five core event types, each designed for a specific type of real-world activity:
- Object Event
- Captures what happens to one or more items (identified objects) at a given time and place (e.g., receiving, shipping, or moving cases in a warehouse).
- Aggregation Event
- Records when items are grouped together or separated (e.g., packing products into a carton or breaking down a pallet).
- Association Event
- Records when an item has been closely associated with another item, such as a wheel being stalled on a truck.
- Transformation Event
- Captures when inputs are changed into outputs (e.g., processing raw ingredients into finished goods).
- Transaction Event
- Links physical objects or events to a business transaction (e.g., a purchase order or shipping manifest).
| Event Type | Common Core CTE Name & Description | Examples for Beef and Leather Supply Chains |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping (object Observe) | An event in which a product is shipped from one physical location to another. Shipping events can occur internally or externally. |
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| Receiving (object Observe) | An event in which a shipped product is received by the ship-to facility. Receiving events can occur internally or externally. |
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| Commission (object Add) | An event in which a new product instance is created or documented for the first time. |
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| Decommission (object Delete) | An event in which a product instance is removed from a supply chain, typically due to consumption or defects. |
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| Aggregation (aggregation Add) | An event in which product instances are grouped together. |
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| Disaggregation (aggregation Delete) | An event in which previously aggregated items are separated. |
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| Transformation | An event involving irreversible changes to a product’s physical form or packaging (e.g., commingling, processing, re-packing). |
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