What does the determination of whether an item retains its original characteristics involve?

Determining whether an item retains its original characteristics is primarily based on testing and analysis. This process involves scientific methods to evaluate various attributes of the item, such as its chemical composition, structural integrity, and functionality. Through testing and analysis, one can assess how factors such as environmental conditions, time, and storage have affected the item, which provides a comprehensive understanding of its quality and safety for use.

While regular storage reviews, visual inspections, and documentation reviews play important roles in the overall management of items, they are not sufficient on their own to ensure that an item has maintained its essential properties. Regular storage reviews help in tracking the conditions under which items are stored, visual inspections may provide immediate indications of surface condition, and documentation reviews ensure compliance with applicable regulations and standards. However, without thorough testing and analysis, there might be undetected changes that could affect the item’s performance or safety.