Inspection Reports: What to look for
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The first rule of inspections is – have them! They are not expensive (starting from $100, depending on the size of your order) and enable you to identify any issues before the order leaves the factory and the country.
An inspection report is a report completed by either the factory or an independent inspector checking your order against your quality specifications. Inspections are most commonly conducted once production has finished, however, you can also request an inspection mid-production if necessary.
Here are four things to ask yourself before you give your next inspection report the all-clear.
1. Do the products meet my Quality Control specifications?
Before placing an order, you must set out your QC specifications in a QC sheet and send it to the factory (contact us for a free sample of a QC sheet). This is the document the inspection company will work from when conducting your inspections. As the customer, you specify the focus of the inspections. So, if there are any particular concerns you have going into production, ensure they are listed on the QC sheet.
2. Is there photographic evidence?
Photographs are a must. Request photographs of any elements of your product you are concerned about, such as seams and joins. You might also want photographs of the production process. You should also request photographs of your product in its final packaging, and of the final packed products inside the shipping cartons.
3. Does it measure up?
Make sure the finished product has the same measurements as specified in your order. Check that the packaging and shipping boxes are the size you thought they were going to be. This is especially important in cases where you are supplying a product to a company that uses an automatic sorting machine, as they often have strict carton requirements.
4. What sample size are they using?
Ensure you know how many items will be inspected, and request your own sample size if you want to. Typically, a post-production inspection will check 1-2% of an order. If there are any issues in the first inspection, have a second inspection and specify a larger sample size.
While many factories offer their own inspection services, we recommend engaging a third party inspection company for your own peace of mind. This is a service we can easily arrange for your business – feel free to contact us for more information.