How to read a salt test report before accepting the lot

Start with identity and traceability

Check supplier/legal entity, plant, product, grade, lot or batch, quantity, sample date, report date and who drew the sample. A perfect result from an unrelated lot does not qualify the material at the gate.

Read the basis, unit and limit

Confirm whether NaCl is reported on dry basis or another basis, whether moisture is separate, and whether results use percent, ppm or mg/kg. Compare each result with the contractual minimum or maximum—not with a vague word such as ‘standard’.

Check coverage and authority

A report may omit the parameter most important to the process. Match the lines to the purchase specification. Note whether the test is supplier-internal, NABL-accredited for that method, government-laboratory or third-party, according to what the order requires.

• Sample and lot linkage
• Method/reference
• Result and unit
• Contract limit
• Pass/fail or deviation
• Laboratory and authorization
• Retention/dispute sample

Worked review: separate identity, result and decision

For each report line, record the purchase limit beside the laboratory result. A value of 99.6% NaCl may pass a 99.5% minimum, but it does not decide insolubles, calcium, magnesium, sulphate, iron or moisture. Mark every mandatory parameter individually and identify omissions as 'not reported' rather than assuming they pass.

Then review the report itself: sample source, sampling party, lot, date, method, unit, basis, laboratory authorization and scope. Where independent accreditation is required, verify that the laboratory and the relevant test are within the accepted scope. A logo or the word accredited on a report is not a substitute for that check.

• No lot or sample identity
• Result shown without unit or basis
• Method absent
• Mandatory line omitted
• Report predates the offered batch
• Supplier name differs from product source
• Pass statement without buyer limit