Factory Audit Services: The Definitive Guide 2023
Finding the right manufacturer for your product can be a daunting task. Have you gone through the process?
That's a big achievement, congratulations! The factory looks professional. Their staff is very helpful. They're collaborating on everything, and now you're paying for the product, right?
Stop!
You're missing a crucial point. Yes, that is a factory audit. After selecting a product, you need to understand the actual situation of production. This is necessary because there are no quality reviews; you don't know what you're going to get. This can cause huge losses.
Now, you've come to the right place to find answers. Take it easy and let us tell you about factory audits.
What is a Factory Audit?
A factory audit is a real-world view of your factory. Auditors audit factories for capability, competence, and quality. In other words, you will learn about the resources and equipment for production.
Also, how much time does the factory take to deliver your demand? Also, it discovers your product quality through factory inspection in advance.
Second, don't worry about how auditors will find them. As most logistical support companies in the world have. These companies provide inspectors, inspectors, or auditors for factory audits. All the different names serve the same purpose.
They are well-trained. These inspectors have a factory audit checklist. Based on this list, they will provide you with an inspection report. Armed with this report, you will be empowered to make straightforward decisions.
Therefore, factory audits are a prerequisite for supply chain processes. This helps you choose exactly what you need. Every seller has to do a factory audit for better results.
What Are the 7 Most Common Types of Factory Audits?
Thanks to the factory audit it is possible to analyze your manufacturer's sourcing and operations. It also ensures this blends with your company.
Each manufacturer differs in the procedure depending on what they do. Based on this, there are different ways of factory audit.
The type of audit that is best for you depends on your company's products or services.
We will now introduce the 7 most common audit types so you can understand and choose according to your needs.
1. Manufacturing Audit
This is the process by which we determine whether a production unit is in top condition. This is the key to getting a quality product from the manufacturer.
Manufacturing audits involve all factors that are integrated with production. First, the auditor reviews the profile of the factory. Then, analyze production capacity. Also, check that the condition of the machinery and equipment is at an optimal level. Also, check the workflow and duration. Finally, auditors verify the factory's quality assurance system.
With a review, will give you the answer to your question. That is, how many facilities are suitable for your product? Keeping in mind the condition of the equipment, how long will your partnership last? What is work behavior?
2. Social Compliance Review
Social compliance is an audit of the behavior of a factory and its employees. During this review, you will focus more on the social environment and safety.
Our analysis is based on employee working hours, record keeping, and security.
Do the working hours exceed the national law? Are accurate records of all employees maintained? Whether the work facility is safe for employees. Do they meet employee safety standards?
We should maintain the six key factors of social responsibility audit, namely:
- Child labor
- Forced labor
- Security risks
- Physical abuse
- Paying bribes for audit clearance.
Social Accountability International (SAI) develops auditing standards for social compliance audits. The SA 8000 system certifies that the company has not violated labor laws.
3. Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Audit
GMP auditing is a regulatory process. Manufacturers apply it. The results provide the quality of pharmaceuticals, medical, food and cosmetics and meet manufacturing standards. Regular GMP audits protect businesses from product safety issues and product recalls. Legal and Regulatory Issues.
4. Environmental Audit
A healthy environment is of paramount importance to people on earth. In this audit, we assess whether we are immune to the factors involved in the degradation. This audit is to protect the environment.
To comply, we should keep our workplaces clean. Chemicals and toxic gases do not pollute water and air. Controlling these factors will allow a facility to achieve ISO-14000 certification.
5. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Audit
C-TPAT is focused on improving the security of private companies in the supply chain. The focus is on terrorism. U.S. Customs and Border Protection leads the program. This uses audit procedures to evaluate and enhance security measures. This is from both a physical and a virtual point of view.
The benefit of C-TPAT is that it strengthens your supply chain security. Furthermore, it verifies compliance and protects the integrity of liberty. C-TPAT introduces business partner practices in your supply chain. Finally, it improves US border security.
C-TPAT certification company fast delivery. Because CBP spends less time at the border inspecting these companies products.
6. Food Supplier Audit
Food quality audits are critical. Because it affects consumers immediately. This audit ensures food hygiene and quality manufacturing practices. Therefore, it ensures food safety and quality. Additionally, they ensure that the facilities meet established standards.
Food facility audits demonstrate your commitment to food quality and hygiene. A certified food chain increases buyer confidence. It also enables you to comply with government regulations. You can meet the requirements of your target market. These reviews can simplify your product.
7. Quality System Audit
Quality system audits around measurement and calibration. Auditors verify that the factory uses a Quality Management System (QMS).
Factories need to maintain this QMS to meet quality standards. It should follow the ISO 9001 standard to reduce quality risks. From there, make sure the company meets those standards. Also, if the factory is compliant, there is no risk to your supply chain.
The factory audit checklist for the quality system must mention these in order to be eligible:
- Documented quality management system
- Equipment calibration
- Incoming inspection
- Manufacturing and process control
- Final product inspection
- Packaging, storage, and shipping procedures
- Corrective and preventive measures
- Need training
Additionally, ISO 9001 is a standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization.
How to Conduct a Manufacturing Audit?
Manufacturing plant audits are a comprehensive process. This is a process that verifies that the manufacturer is performing as expected.
This process gives you an overview of your work schedule. Results are often in the form of reports that provide insight into the plant. It tells you about procedures, issues, consistency, competencies, and competencies. Experienced auditors perform factory audits. Let's see the audit steps we will follow:
Rank Your Review Process
After finding the manufacturer, now you have to deal with it. First, you'll find processes that look critical. Then check what the next important process is. Make a list. Arrange them in order. It depends on the products and services you need. Now you need an audit team to handle it.
Looking For an Auditor
Now you need to find an audit team. Finding an audit team is no big deal these days. There are many companies online waiting for you anywhere in the world to provide you with inspection services.
Sometimes your China sourcing agent also provides auditing services. Hand them your prepared list and they'll do the rest.
How Often Do You Review
Review frequency depends on your product. It can be one time or multiple times. Let's say you want to buy a new custom product from a factory. Then it is very likely that there will be multiple visits. The auditor you choose can also help you understand the count.
Announce Factory Inspection in Advance
The audit was no surprise. You should have announced it sooner. The purpose of the audit is not to inform anyone. This is a healthy process of corrective maintenance. Audits improve production processes and a healthy business environment.
Scheduling a Manufacturing Audit Schedule
Audits are scheduled for the entire shift. Follow planned factory audits. Production units are sampled as randomly as possible. This will give you a broader understanding of the manufacturer.
Note Down Issues Observed During the Audit
Note any issues you observe during the review on the checklist. Complete the report. Share with stakeholders affected by the issue. This will improve the entire process of manufacturing operations.
Corrective Action and Follow Up
After identifying the problem, you ask about possible solutions. When corrective actions are initiated, follow-up actions begin. Make sure these new corrective maintenances don't get into other processes.
All these steps of manufacturing audit will simplify your production.
How RND Can Help You Conduct Factory Audits in China?
You've seen the whole process above. RND is a Chinese factory audit service provider.
Have you found your product yet?
Or are you looking for a manufacturer?
Contact us. RND will be happy to assist you in various ways.
We can provide you with a detailed factory audit via live video. We can also provide you with all documentation to keep you informed.
Furthermore, we provide you with all the available facilities. That is from source to final delivery to your preferred address. RND covers everything.
In addition, we have top-notch auditors. These auditors can go to great lengths to lock in your transaction at the best possible price.
RND provides factory audits and quality inspections for Amazon, eBay, and all other e-commerce industries. Contact us and we'll help you with the rest.
In Conclusion
After browsing this guide, you are now well-versed in factory audits. We have now understood that factory audits are the most critical element.
Also, we understand how factory inspections differ from factory audits. How will we conduct factory audits in China? Things have changed.
Trade was not as easy as it is now.
RND as a professional China purchasing agent can provide you with the best factory quality audit and perfect audit report. Our quality control and inspection services make sure you have no quality problems when selling. 6 years ago, we started working with Amazon and Shopify sellers, involving product sourcing, development, bundling, packaging, manufacturing, supplier management, FBA shipping, etc. With our help, more and more of their products become Amazon's top choice and best sellers.