Sample Statuses

Every sample moves through a fixed sequence of statuses as it progresses through the laboratory workflow, from collection to approval (EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017 §7.4). The statuses are built in and the same for every lab — they are not defined or edited by the user.

Each sample's current status is shown in the samples grid and can be used as a filter. The full history of status changes is captured automatically and is available under Sample Status Logs (Logs → Sample Status Logs).

The statuses

#	Status	Meaning
1	In Collection	The sample was logged in the field via Sample Collection and has not yet reached the lab.
2	Received	The sample has been received at the lab. Samples logged directly at the bench start here.
3	In Preparation	The sample is being prepared for analysis (e.g. drying, sieving, digestion).
4	In Analysis	Measurements are in progress.
5	Subcontracted	Some or all measurements have been sent to an external laboratory (§6.6).
6	Analyzed	All measurements are complete; the sample is ready for review and approval.
7	Approved	The report has been approved and issued. Final status.
8	Rejected	The sample was rejected. Final status.
9	Cancelled	The sample was cancelled. Final status.

The three final statuses — Approved, Rejected and Cancelled — mark the end of the workflow; a sample in a final status goes no further.

Which transition is allowed (§7.4.2)

The sequence is not one-way, but it is not free either: the server checks every status change and rejects one that is not allowed, naming the "from → to" pair.

From	Allowed next
In Collection	Received · Rejected · Cancelled
Received	In Preparation · In Analysis · Subcontracted · Rejected · Cancelled
In Preparation	In Analysis · Subcontracted · Rejected · Cancelled
In Analysis	Analyzed · In Preparation · Subcontracted · Rejected · Cancelled
Subcontracted	Analyzed · Rejected · Cancelled
Analyzed	Approved · In Analysis · Rejected · Cancelled
Approved · Rejected · Cancelled	none

Two steps go backwards on purpose: from In Analysis back to In Preparation, and from Analyzed back to In Analysis. They are needed when a measurement has to be repeated before the report is approved. From any non-final status, Reject and Cancel are always available.

There is no way out of Approved: an issued report does not return to work, it is changed by a new version. See Amend a released report (§7.8.8).

Automatic transitions

Some changes are not made by an operator:

Customer consultation (§7.4.3). With the "reject sample" outcome the sample goes to Rejected; with "request resampling" to Cancelled. With "proceed as-is" the status does not change.
Receipt at the door. A sample In Collection moves to Received when it is scanned at intake, and at that point the receipt date is stamped and the delivery deadline is derived from the default turnaround time.
Return from subcontracting. Releasing the external report takes the sample out of Subcontracted into Analyzed.

Notes

Bulk advance is all-or-nothing. If even one sample's status changes elsewhere while you are advancing a group, the whole group is rolled back — no half-written log.
Every change writes a history row with the reason, where there is one, and notifies the other screens without a refresh.
A status change sends an update to the customer, if the matching template is enabled. See Client Email.
See also: Samples, Sample Collection.