Basic supplier qualification audit, factory audit, simple factory visit, factory inspection, supplier audit plant evaluation

What is Basic Supplier Qualification Audit?

Supplier Qualification Audit is an essential step in securing your supply chain when selecting new potential suppliers in China & Asia. It is also referred to as a basic supplier assessment, or supplier evaluation audit.

The service is taking one day visit to the factory or supplier office to have some basic information about the vendor/manufacturer before placing an order. The service is performed before the clients place an order with a new vendor and it is one of the best solutions for customers with a limited budget. 

It is aimed to avoid scams, understand whether you are dealing with an agent or a manufacturer, and get a basic idea about their capability and quality control system, factory’s basic profile, production facilities status, experience in your products, daily and monthly output, organization and manpower, quality system basics, quality of samples and any their background information.

Supplier Qualification Audit is unique, combining your specific requirements with our audit checklist. It guarantees clients to start cooperation with a legitimate supplier who can meet your requirements. 

What do we check during the Basic Supplier Qualification Audit?

Our auditors conduct an on-site evaluation of the factory to enable you to understand the level of reliability of the supplier. They perform an independent assessment of suppliers’ capability, credentials, facilities, production line management, workforce, and more.

Supplier Audit can uncover problems before production or order confirmation. You could have a clear understanding of your supplier's capabilities, quality control system, management, and operating procedures. This enables you to select a qualified supplier with confidence.

Generally, we will focus on the following aspects during a Factory Audit:

1) Supplier/Factory Profile (General Information): official business name, ownership, organization chart, contact details, production line status, production capability

2) Organization Structure

3) Production Process

4) Production Capacity

5) Facilities & Machinery

6) Quality assurance system & related certificates: on-site visit to confirm if there is a QC system in place. If yes, we’ll give you our general impression of the system

7) R&D

8) Special Requirements from Client

9) Experience: trade history, client information, available samples

10) Employees and Workforce: an overview of HR policies, management style, and workers' situation

11) Verification of Documentation: a review of licenses and certificates

What is the purpose and benefit of a Basic Supplier Qualification Audit?

Get in a bind working with the wrong supplier or factory, paying a down payment to a company that you know little to nothing about will bring you a disaster and big risk. Through basic supplier qualification audit, it will set a strong foundation for your business by building business relationships with the right suppliers. We could offer reliable information before you begin your next import project.

An on-site visit by an experienced auditor can verify your potential business partner's profile and its basic background information.

Performed by ISO 9001 certified auditors, the Basic Supplier Qualification Audit is also based on the ISO 9000 standard. It is a simpler version of Detailed Supplier Audit. If it's the first time you are working with a supplier or factory and/or you wish to build a long-term partnership, we recommend a supplier audit. When importing from China it is important to know exactly whom you are dealing with: a vendor, a factory, or even a middleman.

Basic Supplier Qualification Audit can help the client:

1) Avoid scams and inexperienced vendors.

2) Compare potential vendors and select the most suitable supplier for your project.

3) Check the needed certificates and licenses for the specific suppliers or factories.

4) Check the factory's experience in manufacturing your product(s).

5) Verify what your suppliers (or sourcing agent) are saying

6) Save time and evaluate risks early

7) Verify your supplier’s legitimacy