Traceability is the capability to trace something. In some cases, it is interpreted as the ability to verify the history, location, or application of an item by means of documented recorded identification.
Greater Manchester Police SmartWater warning sign
In measurement technology and metrology, calibration is the comparison of measurement values delivered by a device under test with those of a calibration standard of known accuracy. Such a standard could be another measurement device of known accuracy, a device generating the quantity to be measured such as a voltage, a sound tone, or a physical artifact, such as a meter ruler.
Manual calibration - US serviceman calibrating a pressure gauge. The device under test is on his left and the test standard on his right.
Automatic calibration - A U.S. serviceman using a 3666C auto pressure calibrator
An instrument rack with tamper-indicating seals
An example of a weighing scale with a ½ ounce calibration error at zero. This is a "zeroing error" which is inherently indicated, and can normally be adjusted by the user, but may be due to the string and rubber band in this case