Every incoming material begins with documented sourcing. When material is received, we maintain applicable supplier and shipment records, including supplier identification, supplier lot or batch information, product identification, quantity received, date received, shipping and handling information, and available supplier documentation. Where applicable, supplier documentation is reviewed as part of our incoming quality process.

Principle: Know where the material came from before it enters inventory.

Incoming material is assigned internal tracking information so it can be connected to its corresponding inventory and documentation: Product → SKU → Internal Lot ID → Supplier Lot → Date Received → Quantity → Storage Location. Materials can remain in an appropriate quality-control status while documentation is being reviewed, creating a traceable record rather than treating inventory as anonymous stock.

Where analytical testing is performed, Onward works with qualified third-party laboratories or applicable testing resources to evaluate defined characteristics of the research material. Depending on the material and testing scope, documentation may address identity, purity, relevant analytical profile, endotoxin testing (where applicable), heavy-metal testing (where applicable), and other specified analytical parameters. Testing specifications are not assumed to be identical for every product or lot.

Each verified lot should have a documented connection between the physical inventory and its records: Supplier Lot → Onward Lot ID → Inventory Record → Testing Documentation → COA / Analytical Report → Release Status → Shipment Record. This structure helps maintain visibility throughout the material’s lifecycle.

Where a Certificate of Analysis (COA) or laboratory report is available, it forms part of the documentation associated with the applicable lot, which may include product/material name, lot or batch identification, test date, analytical method, test result, specification (where applicable), laboratory identification, report or certificate number, and applicable observations. A COA is not a substitute for independent evaluation of the underlying analytical data.

Materials may move through defined inventory statuses: Received → Quarantined → QC Review → Released. If documentation or testing does not satisfy applicable internal requirements, the material can remain restricted from normal release pending further review.

Research materials are handled according to applicable storage requirements. Our inventory records can include storage location, storage conditions, receipt date, release date, expiration or retest information (where applicable), temperature-excursion records (where applicable), and inventory status.