Glossary

Record control

Record control is the management of manufacturing and quality records so they remain identifiable, protected, retrievable, and retained.

Record control is the management of records so they remain identifiable, protected, retrievable, retained, and usable as evidence of completed work or decisions. In manufacturing and quality systems, records commonly include inspection results, production history, training evidence, nonconformance records, approvals, test data, and release documentation.

Record control focuses on how records are created, stored, accessed, corrected, retained, and disposed of according to defined requirements. It often includes metadata such as record owner, date, revision or change reference, retention period, access permissions, and links to the product, batch, order, serial number, or process activity involved.

Record control should not be confused with document control. Document control manages controlled documents such as procedures, work instructions, forms, and specifications before and during use. Record control manages completed evidence after an activity has occurred. A blank inspection form is typically a controlled document; the completed inspection result is a controlled record.

In regulated or quality-sensitive environments, record control is commonly handled through QMS, MES, ERP, PLM, document management, or electronic record systems. The goal is not to guarantee compliance by itself, but to maintain records in a controlled state so they can support traceability, review, investigation, and audit activities.

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