Abby and Tina,
While you don't have to have a unique number you do need to have a CPSIA tracking label and in many cases a FTC label. That tracking label need to have your company name, city, state, usa, and date of manufacture.
As a micro small business, you will not be needing a batch or cohort number for your products. Most of us don't sit down and produce 25 to 50 or more identical items at a time. We make 1 of a given fabric/design and list it. Then make another if that one sells. Or we make the same thing in different fabrics, so they look different than each other. That isn't a batch. So, you really don't need a unique code unless you want to go that route. If you so chose, go with something that is simple and easy to remember, like Bibfxblu1... 2 and so on for Bib, with fox applique on blue terry cloth. Cross reference in you spreadsheet with when it was made what supplies you used, and how much each cost, what you sold it for and date of sale. I use a code on my labels for tracking, I used to use 14 15 JFMAMJJASOND 16 17 . I would make a stich with colored floss under the year and month when something was made. Now I have simplified it and just use 15 16 SSFW 17 18 . Whatever works for you. I make a print of each listing page and on the back I keep all the written information I could ever need with snippets of fabric and trim etc. When I sell something I write the customer's name and address and date of sale. I keep these in those clear page covers and keep them in a file. Just keep it simple enough for you to be able to identify anything and be able to track it's sales and supply history if there should every be a problem with it.
