Use of Client Field Sample Tags

Policy Scope

Clients typically send into the lab along with their sample a water proof or metal sample tag that identifies the sample according to the client’s data base. This tag may come in multiples or as a single tag. Since this tag(s) represents the client sample identifier it is a key piece of documentation for SGS to ensure that we have maintained sample order and sample integrity in our process.

This policy governs the manner in which our labs use these tags throughout the analytical process.

Responsibilities

This procedure ensures that our labs are able to systematically prove to clients and auditors that we have preserved sample identification throughout our analytical process.  It is the responsibility of all SGS personnel to follow and adhere to this policy.

Procedure

1. If available from the client the lab must put field sample tags in the coarse reject, pulverized pulp reject and final sample pulp bags. This ensures direct tracing of the client’s sample identification system to our own SLIM system.
   
   
2. Those SGS labs that supply clients with sample tag booklets must start supplying sample tag booklets that have 4 (four) tags per sample.
   
   
3. SGS labs to advocate to clients to use “4 tag” sample booklets in order to allow us to improve sample identification traceability in our labs.