How to Enhance Your Quality Supply Chain in China
Undeniably, China holds the mantle as Asia’s manufacturing hub and a top sourcing location for brands and retailers around the globe.
Though the phrase “Made in China” no longer exclusively suggests inferior quality, businesses must not underestimate the need for effective quality assurance systems which include robust inspection services in China.
In this blog, we will discuss our factory audits, lab testing, and inspection services in China, and explore how Sphere Resources can help you ensure that your products and supply chain meet the highest standards of quality and compliance.
Table of Contents
- Importance of Quality Control in China
- Supplier and Factory Audits
- Product Inspection Services
- Lab Testing
The Necessity of Quality Control in China
Quality assurance is crucial for ensuring that your products adhere to customer expectations and both internal and regulatory standards. Activities such as audits, product inspections, and lab testing allow you to consistently monitor the quality of products produced in China.
If your manufacturing operations are based in China, you’ll benefit from a reliable third party evaluating your products and processes to ensure quality and compliance are never compromised.
Our quality control services encompass supplier audits, product inspections, and lab testing, each serving a distinct purpose within the manufacturing ecosystem. Utilize our services to meet your manufacturing process’s quality assurance demands at every stage.
Supplier & Factory Audits
Supplier audits offer a thorough evaluation of your suppliers’ factories, assessing aspects such as manufacturing capabilities, ethical practices, structural conditions, and environmental impact.
Learn more about the common factory audits and certifications in our HACCP and BSCI vs SMETA articles to enhance your business standards.
By adhering to international standards or bespoke in-house requirements, these audits help you choose capable, ethical suppliers, protect your brand against potential risks, and ensure safe, ethical working conditions within your supply chain.
Product Inspections
Product inspections are designed to track the quality of goods at various stages of production, helping to identify and rectify any discrepancies before they impact the final output.
These inspections commonly include the following manufacturing stages:
1. IPC – Initial Production Check
An Initial Production Check (IPC) is a vital part of our inspection services in China. During this stage, an on-site product inspection is executed from the moment production begins until 20% of the manufacturing is completed.
At Sphere Resources, our inspectors scrutinize the quality of raw materials and the first batch of items produced during the production run, enabling the early detection and rectification of potential quality issues.
Performing an IPC offers multiple advantages:
- Establishes quality standards from the onset, acting as an early-warning system for possible complications.
- Reduces the chances of defective goods at the end of a production run.
- Identifies and potentially mitigates disruptions that may occur at the outset of production.
- Verifies the quality of supplied raw materials.
- Assures that the factory correctly sets up the production run, and your brand’s specifications are clearly understood.
- Fosters confidence in meeting quality standards.
During an IPC, our inspectors will randomly select a sample of products to inspect, adhering to the ANSI/ASQ Standard Z.1.4-2008 sampling standard. The checks carried out are tailor-made to match client requirements and the product involved.
2. DUPRO – during production inspection
We conduct a During Production Inspection (DUPRO) when 20-80% of your production is finished and prepared for shipping.
This is a crucial part of our comprehensive inspection services in China, ensuring that your factory adheres to your original specifications and stays on schedule.
Performing a DUPRO inspection serves several benefits:
- Pinpoints potential issues before the completion of a production run, helping to avoid costly mistakes.
- Provides time to establish alternative strategies to repair defective products.
- Allows adjustments in the manufacturing process to avert recurring issues.
- Detects possible delays in final product delivery.
- Assures that your specifications are being followed.
- Minimizes costly rectifications.
These advantages show the importance of During Production Inspection services in China, enabling businesses to maintain high-quality production standards, reduce risks, and ensure customer satisfaction with their products.
3. PSI – pre-shipment inspection
A Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) is a systematic onsite evaluation of randomly chosen units from all batches of your order, performed when production is 80-100% complete.
It offers a final opportunity to make corrective measures before a production run is completed and packed, thus protecting you against costly import errors.
A pre-shipment inspection is vital because:
- Complex supply chains make it nearly impossible for most businesses to verify the quality and specifications of their finished products before they’re shipped.
- Risks associated with poor-quality products are high; in a hyper-competitive consumer goods market, product defects could cause consumers to turn to your competitors.
- A PSI provides assurance that your order has been successfully completed before dispatch.
- It helps confirm that your supplier has met all agreed-upon specifications and quality standards.
- It allows for corrective action before it’s too late, helping to avoid returns and safeguard your brand’s image.
- It enables verification of final product quality, especially when direct access to the factory is not possible.
4. CLC – container loading check
A Container Loading Check (CLC) is part of the inspection services in China that ensures your products are manufactured correctly and the actual ordered quantity is securely loaded onto your container or truck.
During a CLC, our Sphere Resources inspector randomly selects boxes to confirm the product quality, quantity, and packaging.
Performing a CLC is advantageous as it:
- Minimizes the risk of product damage during shipment.
- Allows a final check of product quality and specifications before shipping.
- Ensures correct handling of your products as they’re loaded onto containers or trucks.
- Verifies packaging meets specifications.
- Checks the quality of the container your goods are to be shipped in.
5. PM – production monitoring
Production Monitoring is part of the on-site inspection services in China that helps to verify the production status and raw materials inventory.
Our inspector examines your factory, checks the quantity of the raw materials, and carries out a detailed report for the entire or specific production cycle.
Performing production monitoring is beneficial as it:
- Holds your factory accountable from the start to finish of the production run.
- Provides control and visibility of the entire production process.
- Detects any sub-contracting possibilities early on.
- Allows early identification of production delays.
- Identifies poor internal quality control from suppliers.
- Reveals inadequate warehouse or production environments.
- Confirms if the factory’s declared production capacity is feasible.
Consistent production monitoring over a predetermined period can provide a more accurate timeline and improved quality control, compared to a one-time intervention.
Lab Testing & Certification
Aside from factory audits and product inspection services in China, we also offer lab testing which is another critical component of quality control.
With a comprehensive set of tests ranging across product categories like softlines, hardlines, toys, and electronics, lab testing evaluates the safety, performance, and compliance of products.
Sphere Resources’ lab testing capabilities in China have obtained various prestigious accreditations, complying with multiple international standards that include the following:
- ANAB Accreditation – We coordinate with laboratories that are endorsed by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB). These labs provide ANAB-recognized test reports for accredited activities, validating their adherence to the international standard ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and demonstrating technical proficiency in the testing domain.
- HOKLAS Accreditation – Our HKAS accreditation is a formal third-party validation of our competence in conducting activities within our HKAS scope. As an HKAS-accredited entity, we are committed to implementing effective quality assurance measures to maintain the quality of our accredited activities.
- CPSC Accepted Testing– We provide access to third-party testing services recognized by the CPSC (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Committee). This is in accordance with the requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, further contributing to product safety and compliance.
- ISO 17025 Accreditation – We collaborate with labs operating as Type A inspection bodies, in accordance with ISO/IEC 17020:2012 and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 General Criteria for the Operation of Various Types of Bodies Performing Inspection. These labs have also obtained accreditation from the CNAS and CMA, aligning with CNAS-CL01 “Testing and Calibration Laboratory Capability Accreditation Standards” (ISO/IEC 17025:2017).
Why Sphere Resources?
At Sphere Resources, we bring a unique advantage to the table as a sourcing agency offering quality control and comprehensive inspection services in China.
We are a foreign-owned entity, run by a blend of Australian, Chinese, and American directors working closely with industry experts. This multicultural composition allows us to intimately understand the expectations and requirements of Western businesses.
We not only bridge the gap between East and West but also tailor our services to cater precisely to these needs, making us stand out in the market. Our ability to navigate through cultural differences and nuances ensures a smooth, effective, and successful process.
This gives businesses a competitive advantage. This blend of Western management and Chinese expertise gives you the best of both worlds – international quality standards met with a deep understanding of local operations.
As your partner in ensuring quality and compliance, Sphere Resources delivers a range of benefits:
- Your Partner in Quality Control: As your eyes in the factory, Sphere Resources diligently protects your business interests in the supply chain. We ensure all your products meet your specific quality standards, keeping the costs of quality issues minimal.
- Tailored Service: At Sphere Resources, we offer personalized QC and inspection services in China catering to your unique requirements. Our offerings include a dedicated account manager, customized report formats, and a jointly developed checklist.
- Value for Investment: We provide competitive pricing without compromising service quality or dependability. We maintain transparency with no hidden costs or additional charges. Get an all-inclusive quote before finalizing the inspection.
- Fast Turnaround: With the capability to deploy inspectors and auditors on-site within 48 hours and deliver same-day inspection reports, we ensure a swift and efficient process.
- Detailed Reporting: Our comprehensive reports include detailed pictures, factory records, management interviews, and images, ensuring a complete profile of your supplier and your products.
- Proven Track Record: For over a decade, we’ve been helping businesses reduce costs, decrease defect rates, and increase customer satisfaction with our reliable and honest service.
With Sphere Resources, your business’s success, quality, and compliance in the vibrant Chinese market are our priorities.
Reach out to us, and we’ll assist you with your requirements for top-tier inspection services in China.
