What Is A Third-Party Inspection Company?
It is an Independent, unbiased group that inspects the company’s key assets like processes, heavy machinery, and equipment. The inspection aims to check the company’s compliance with these products, determining if they meet the legally-required international standards, codes, and technical specifications. Third-party inspection companies work with qualified and experienced teams ensuring the process runs optimally and is not affected by accidents. Manufacturing companies must conduct a third-party inspection to ensure quality and integrity in their chosen inspectors. But what should you look for in a third-party inspection company?
- A Local Database Of Inspectors
Working with vendors abroad can add a layer of complexity to the third-party inspection process. Ensure that your third-party inspection company has international relationships and networks with local and global third-party inspection companies abroad. It will save you time in finding a database of local inspectors.
- ISO Certification
The ISO9001 certification is an internationally-recognized credential. It ensures the highest international quality and integrity in inspections as ISO certification companies have Quality Control System in place, which is followed, reviewed, and updated to align with industrial changes. They also have a system to conduct Internal Audits and strive for continuous improvement.
- Inspectors That Can Pre-test And Approve Equipment Before Its Arrival
Any manufacturer would want to work with a third-party inspection company that reviews, tests, and reports on your pre-ordered products during the actual manufacturing process. It guarantees you fully inspected equipment upon delivery to your facility.
The Main Types Of Third-Party Quality Inspection
Purchasing products from overseas manufacturers are always valuable while expanding business, but you’ll always be left wondering whether your purchased products meet your standards. A Third-party inspection company will play a great role in undertaking important inspections that can benefit your business in different ways. Here is all you need to know about types of inspections in quality control and how they’re performed.
- Pre-Production Inspection
It’s the first inspection process that follows a purchase order. Inspectors will visit your supplier’s site to evaluate the quality of components, raw materials, and other preparations they are making for the manufacturing process. The main reason for this inspection is to ensure that the supplier they’re purchasing raw materials and components outlined in the contract.
- First Article Inspection
Once the production process starts, the first article inspection is conducted with inspectors assessing your product’s first mass production run from both the factory floor and the design documents.
- During Production Inspection
DPI occurs once 20-50% of your product run has been completed and packed. A third-party inspector inspects the completed product to ensure all processes are followed to the agreed standard. They’ll also check to identify issues early in the manufacturing process or product deviation. DPI ensures that the quality of the products in production is the same as the one you received as a sample. It also allows you to make adjustments and corrections before the production run has ended, saving you valuable time and money.
- Pre-Shipment Inspection
PSI inspection ensures that the supplier has manufactured your products to your specifications and packed them as required by your purchase contract. It is randomly conducted from a sample of products taken from the shipment. It is performed once the manufacturing run is complete and at least 80% of the order has been packed. Since the products are randomly from your sample order, it ensures you get an accurate view of the order without needing to inspect every product.
- Container Loading Inspection
The final inspection process happens at a supplier or forwarder’s warehouse. Inspector will supervise the loading of shipping containers to ensure that your order has been packed correctly. It gives you a final chance to verify the quality of the products you’ve ordered and reduces the risk of damage during transit, saving you time and money when your order arrives. It also allows you to stop damaged products missed from initial inspections from being shipped and sold, helping to save your brand image and reputation.
What Are The Benefits Of Working With A Third-Party Inspection Company
The main benefits manufacturers and Importers can gain if they employ the services of a third-party contractor include;
- Effective and effortless communication between suppliers and importers
- Efficient and cost-effective vendors inspection
- Better consumer relationship
- Improved quality products and fewer disruptions
Conclusion
Working with a third-party inspection company assures you incredible quality control services to their clients. Besides providing outstanding services in various countries with the help of highly qualified staff, it grants you benefits associated with buying and procuring. So, if you are working with any supplier and they are hesitant to allow a third-party Inspection Company to inspect their products, let them know how the inspection process works and its benefits above.
