Label before the vial changes location
The handoff from receiving to cold storage is where missing labels and incomplete logs usually start. Apply the internal reference, lot, and date before moving the vial into its longer-term location.
Separate long-term stock from active bench stock
Using one storage location for everything makes it harder to tell what is untouched inventory versus what is already in active use. Keep sealed stock and active working material in separate zones with separate logs.
- Receiving quarantine
- Cold storage inventory
- Active bench inventory
- Discard or depletion log
Document transitions, not just final counts
Inventory counts help, but transition logs are what make discrepancies explainable. Record when material leaves storage, when it returns, and when a vial is fully depleted.