Can you share where you got this timeframe from?
Hi DeadPresident,
I have looked through 12 years of the SQF Code Standards and Guidance, going back to The SQF Code, Edition 7 and I have not found a single mention of a timed test, only the text as per post 16 above.
The 4-hour requirement comes from the BRCGS and dates back at least 12 years, possibly longer.
I have not seen a reference to 2 hours, I wouldn't give too much credibility to a post from someone who has only posted twice on the forums and hasn’t posted for 5 years 
As per BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 9 Section 3.9 Traceability, clause 3.9.3:
The traceability test shall include a summary of the documents that should be referenced during the test, and clearly show the links between them. The test shall occur at a predetermined frequency, at a minimum annually, and results shall be retained for inspection. Traceability should be achievable within 4 hours.
From BRC Guidance:
The test of traceability should be timed and full traceability would be expected to be achieved within 4 hours. This is to reflect the need for rapid traceability in the event of a recall. Where traceability takes longer than 4 hours, review the areas where the retrieval of information is slow in order to identify improvements.
Kind regards,
Tony
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