Prepare the purchasing decision
Synthetic A-E permits release before 17:00 on 20 October 2026 Hong Kong time, excluding that instant. Creating a draft earlier does not satisfy release timing. Three proposed releases are evaluated below; none represents actual dispatch. Expired authority requires renewal, while the old approval stays in history.
| Draft | Proposed release | Time test | Next action |
|---|---|---|---|
| P-E1 | 16:59:59 | Before boundary | May proceed through remaining checks |
| P-E2 | 17:00:00 | Excluded equality | Renew authority |
| P-E3 | 17:01:00 | After boundary | Renew authority |
Complete the recorded outcome
- Read the approval boundary and time zone.
- Use proposed time only for draft preview; compare the actual PO release timestamp with the strict cutoff.
- Record valid release authority or leave the draft pending renewal.
If release time is not recorded reliably, timing remains unresolved; do not substitute the draft creation time.
P-E2 was drafted at 16:00. Does that make its 17:00 release valid?
Show the worked answer
No. Release, not drafting, is the stated checkpoint; equality is excluded.
A valid approval does not establish supplier acceptance or payment. Those need separate records.