Abstract Traceability is widely mandated across regulated supply chains and frequently cited as a prerequisite for effective recalls, inventory accuracy, and accountability. However, persistent failures observed during audits and operational incidents suggest that traceability is often asserted without a clear formal basis. This paper proposes a minimal axiomatic basis for traceability, defining it as a logically verifiable property rather than a feature of system implementation, regulatory compliance, or operational maturity. A single axiom (A₀) is introduced, accompanied by four definitions that establish the necessary and sufficient conditions under which traceability can be said to exist. The framework is deliberately system-oriented and independent of specific technologies or standards, enabling falsification, auditability, and cross-industry applicability. The paper argues that many contemporary systems commonly described as “traceable” fail to satisfy this minimal axiom and therefore possess records, but not traceability.
Heeber Garcia Lachica (Thu,) studied this question.