In the following article, we will address the key differences between Laser Engraving and Indelimarking.
If you are frustrated with high numbers of missing pens or concerned about equipment travelling across zones with differing levels of risk, you may be looking to drive standards of traceability and accountability through personalised, visual identification. But with two leading methods relied upon throughout the industry, you will first have to choose between Laser Engraving and Indelimarking:
Laser Engraving: The process of removing microscopic layers of material from the surface of an item to produce a lasting mark or design.
Indelimarking: The process of changing the molecular structure of a surface to create a contrasting, permanent impression.
To support you with this decision, we wanted to provide an honest comparison of the two different methods, covering important factors such as accountability, food safety, and audit compliance.
Identification & Accountability
Both Laser Engraving and Indelimarking will help to drive accountability across your site – allowing you to assign pens to specific areas, applications, or operatives.
This should reduce the number of pens that go missing at your factory, and consequently reduce the need for replacements.
As mentioned above, one option is to assign pens to individual operatives; however, another idea is to introduce sequential numbering. This approach will give you a general idea of how many pens are going missing or being damaged with undue force across every area of your site.
Clearly identifiable pens can also lower the risk of a cross-contamination incident occurring, especially if used in tandem with a comprehensive colour-coding system. Say a pen is used in an area of your site that handles allergens, but is taken to an area of your operation that produces allergen-free products, this could result in a serious food safety issue. However, if the pen has been engraved or indelimarked, this issue will be easier to identify and, most-importantly, prevent.
Personalised, visual identification can be used for a wide range of purposes, including, but not exclusive to:
- Area segregation
- Allergen control
- Sequential numbering for accountability
- Company names
- Serial numbers
- User/operative names
When it comes to identification and accountability, Laser Engraving and Indelimarking offer similar results, with both methods allowing you to ensure the traceability of the pens at your site.
Food Safety
However, in matters of food safety, there are vital differences between Laser Engraving and Indelimarking.
This is because Laser Engraving creates an indent that acts as a potential harbourage point for harmful bacteria and microorganisms – removing material from the surface of the item being engraved.
In contrast, IndeliMarking doesn’t undermine any hygiene or food safety requirements. Instead, specialist lasers are used to change the molecular structure of the product surface to create a contrasting, permanent ‘impression’.
Whilst Laser Engraving has the potential to transform previously safe equipment into a serious food safety risk, Indelimarking your pens will in no way compromise their standards of hygiene and safety.
This distinction should be factored into any risk assessments carried out at your site, along with your plans for securing audit compliance.
Audit Compliance
Clause 4.9.6.2 of the BRCGS Global Food Safety Standard calls for sites to minimise the risk of physical contamination when selecting, using, and maintaining portable handheld equipment.
As mentioned above, the indent produced by Laser Engraving is a potential harbourage point for harmful bacteria and microorganisms. Consequently, this indent increases the risk of cross contamination.
This is something your auditor could pick up on, especially if the engraved area is visibly unclean – filled with specs of dirt and debris.
“Portable handheld equipment, e.g. stationery items (pens, pencils ect.), mobile phones, tablets and similar portable items used in open product areas, shall be controlled by the site to minimise the risk of physical contamination.”
(BRCGS9 Ref. 4.9.6.2.)
In contrast, Indelimarked equipment doesn’t have an indent where harmful bacteria and microorganisms can collect. As a result, this method of visual identification helps to minimise the risk of physical contamination.
So, should I use Indelimarked or Laser Engraved Pens at my site?
The answer to this question will depend on the main priorities for you and your site. It will also be reliant on the demands of the customers you work with and the expectations of your auditing body.
As you make your choice, we hope this article can act as a reminder of the distinctions between Laser Engraving and Indelimarking, with the former posing a potential food safety risk or a point of non-compliance, and the latter eliminating this issue to ensure your pens remain uncompromised.
Due to our ongoing commitment to food safety, here at Retreeva, we offer an Indelimarking Service for your detectable equipment. However, we never want to sway your decision, so we are here to provide support no matter what you decide.