Product Identification 2.6.1

Hello folks, I'm having troubles with the 2.6 Product Identification code, as we currently don't have enough space in the facility for a designated  "on hold" area. We are out of storage space. 

Currently, when we receive raw materials, we set them right next to the loading gate. The quality technician makes his tests for raw material approval and then we take it to the proper storage area.  The area next to the loading gate is sometimes used to place the good final products. I'm not able to set this complete area for holding goods.

I'm thinking that the only solution might be to use quality stickers for approval, hold and reject. 

Green for approval, yellow for hold and red for reject. 

Do you think if we only place stickers for hold and rejected materials and final goods, can we leave approved materials and approved final goods without stickers?

Another option is to use colored pallet wrap. For example, on HOLD product could be YELLOW, rejected product could be RED and approved product could be CLEAR or whatever color you typically use). Just be sure to add the color code to your Product ID Policy and of course train your staff per that policy. 

Signage would also be very helpful. 

Most facilities do not have a ton of "extra" space. So the above would be an alternative in the cases that you do not have space solely for on HOLD pallets. 

Are you able to make enough space for 1 individual pallet? That might be a good start. It's not like you need space for a entire load. Also, if your reject something, why isn't it being returned? 

Good Luck! 

Correct me if I miss-understood the Q.

You don't need to open up a space to designate it as an area and leave it open.

You do need to be able to designate a space of storage in the event of XY&Z and clearly state that as a part of your documentation.

Hi, Jeanc1990, if it sometimes difficult to implement control, always understand the why the requirement, then you will understand the risk and understand if the current system being proposed will mitigate the risk. I noticed that there will be "green for approved" and stated that "will leave without stickers the approved materials and finished product", will it not be confusing? It is better to implement one stickering system especially if physically, it will difficult for warehousemen (the one who are doing the push and pull) to track what materials are good, hold and not. As for the rejected, depending on the reason of reject, or if can attract pest (because this for sure will be ageing one), the reason behind is not to have possible risk of "cross contamination" of good materials.

Hi, Jeanc1990, if it sometimes difficult to implement control, always understand the why the requirement, then you will understand the risk and understand if the current system being proposed will mitigate the risk. I noticed that there will be "green for approved" and stated that "will leave without stickers the approved materials and finished product", will it not be confusing? It is better to implement one stickering system especially if physically, it will difficult for warehousemen (the one who are doing the push and pull) to track what materials are good, hold and not. As for the rejected, depending on the reason of reject, or if can attract pest (because this for sure will be ageing one), the reason behind is not to have possible risk of "cross contamination" of good materials.

Thank you very much for your help. So, do you recommend only to implement the "Hold Sticker" and "Reject Sticker"? and anything without it would be safe for use. What do you think of set temporary hold areas? for example if i put a big sign that says items on hold and everything behind that sign it's on hold.

jeanc1990, my company was hit with this finding through another audit, and we were thankfully able to create a hold area, albeit a very small one. If I recall accurately the code requires that you have means or area designated for material that is being held or rejected. However, the code does not state what size this area has to be. So as stated by another on this string, even if you have a space for just one pallet, you would meet the code. The code also states that this designated area is to be segregated from incoming good raw materials. So you create an additional problem by leaving everything together, even if you sticker the materials, as you stated. We have attempted to implement a similar process in our facility, and it is often difficult as with a limited amount of space. logistics team members often look for the "path of least resistance" when moving materials, and so you end up having material with stickers put into places that they should not be.