What must be used to identify and trace controlled materials?

Using Quality Assurance Tags is essential for identifying and tracing controlled materials. These tags are critical in the quality control process as they provide clear and consistent information about the material, ensuring that it meets required specifications and standards. Each tag typically contains data about the material, its origin, inspection status, and compliance with safety or quality regulations. This systematic labeling allows for easy tracking throughout the supply chain and during various stages of production or construction, which is particularly vital in industries where material integrity is crucial.

In contrast, a Work Authorization Form pertains to the permission needed to proceed with particular tasks but does not specifically focus on material tracking. The Departure from Specifications relates to instances when materials or processes deviate from standard specifications, which can be important but not as a primary tool for identification and tracing. An Authorizing Officer’s role is generally linked to overseeing the approval processes but does not provide a tracking mechanism for materials themselves. Thus, Quality Assurance Tags serve as the most effective means of ensuring controlled materials are properly documented and can be traced throughout their lifecycle.