Quality Assurance vs. Quality Control: What Are the Differences?
Regardless of the type of products you’re importing from China, there’s a need to stay true to quality. As such, you need to know the difference between quality assurance vs. quality control. This way, you can choose a quality management process that enhances your importation business. There are many benefits to checking the quality of products set for importation. However, in doing so, many “experts” confuse quality assurance for control. Over the course of this article, we will clear up the misconceptions that exist where these quality management processes are concerned. This article explains the differences in the quality assurance vs. quality control discourse. What is Quality Assurance? Quality assurance is a process that affects every part of your business. It refers to the steps you take to reduce errors in your production and importation process. If you provide services, quality assurance is the sum total of the methods you employ to ensure top-notch quality every time. The process is vital to production and essential if you provide services. In history, quality assurance dates back to the second world war, when weapons needed testing. Many firms have different methods they employ to ensure quality assurance in the delivery of products and services. Let’s take a look at two examples of quality assurance process for an importing firm: Selection of production materials and features If you are into the importation business, you should know the raw materials that make up a finished product. You see, these materials are the bedrock of your product’s quality. Hence, the process of raw material selection and assessment of product features make up quality assurance. All of the above should be a part of your quality assurance process. The process ensures your product’s quality. On the other hand, it also means your clients get more value for their money. Choice of associates As an importation company, the deals you make can be very influential on your business. When you deal with the wrong firm, you may make costly mistakes. Therefore, you need to select the companies and experts that you involve in your business. For instance, you need to be sure shippers have the expertise to handle the logistic side of things. To do this, you need to have rules you follow strictly while selecting these associates. These rules are a part of quality assurance. What is Quality Control? If you own a firm that produces a certain product, you need quality checks. That doesn’t mean quality control isn’t necessary for the provision of services. However, quality control specifically caters to products more than services. Anything you do to make sure your product doesn’t fall short in terms of quality is quality control. Essentially, the quality control process looks to prevent and correct any defects your product may have. Mostly, the quality control process happens after you have your final products ready. The quality control process primarily depends on three factors: elements, competence, and soft elements. In the quality control vs. quality assurance debate, the former focuses on inspection while the latter focuses on prevention. A quality control process differs slightly for different firms. For companies looking to import from China, below are some examples of quality control activities: Inspection The quality control process depends totally on the inspection. However, you should have a checklist of what you’re looking out for during the inspection process. Say, you’re looking to import shoes. You definitely need to look out for the construction and stitching of the shoes. Once you know what to look out for, you need to inspect the quality of products before and after shipping. This process is part of quality control. Product correction The primary reason for quality control is to correct mistakes. The first step is to find products with defects. The next step is to come up with a plan of action to remedy the defects. This process of correction is vital to the quality control process. Quality Assurance vs. Quality Control Quality assurance and quality control are similar terms under quality management. However, there are some differences, some of which are: Quality assurance focuses on the production process, while quality control focuses on the product. Quality control begins after production, while quality assurance starts before production. Quality assurance corrects defects in the production process while quality control corrects product defects. Conclusion Many managers spend time and energy discussing the merits of quality assurance vs. quality control. However, it’s always better to find a way to input both processes into the business. In this guide, you can learn the differences and similarities between both processes. However, knowing these terms doesn’t guarantee perfect quality management — you need professionals. At Jonble, we offer you the smooth importation of goods from China. We have been doing this for multiple years now. As a result, we can clearly outline the processes that will make up quality assurance or control for your unique product. More importantly, we can help you handle the quality management process. Book a consultation session with us today!
What Are The 7 Quality Management Principles?
Certain businesses think they can just affix a tag of quality to their products without any standards to hold it up against. For a product to be described as “high-quality”, it must have satisfied an array of explicitly defined characteristics or be in line with what is regarded as standards for that product. Sounds straightforward right? Unfortunately, this is not as easy as it sounds. Why does a business need to ensure the quality of their products or services? For starters, this is the much they owe their clients/customers. These people have come to you with their money and needs, as a reputable business, the least you can do is provide them with the best products that do exactly what they are meant to do, devoid of any errors or deficiencies. Also, with creating quality products at the forefront of their mind, the business is bound to ensure that continuously good efforts are being put into their work. Besides, as much as you intend to keep making a profit from your business, you should also keep ensuring the quality of your products. What is the Quality Management Principle? According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), “Quality management principles are a set of fundamental beliefs, norms, rules, and values that are accepted as true and can be used as a basis for quality management.” An organization that wishes to thrive and continuously provide quality products and services must live by these principles. The ISO has described 7 principles that can result in the end goals of the system. Below are the 7 Quality Management Principles Customer focus Leadership Engagement for people Process approach Improvement Evidence-based decision-making Relationship management [1]. Let’s review each of them: 1. Customer Focus Non-profit organizations aim to achieve whatever purpose they are made (often measured in the extent of their impact on people’s lives), and so do the profit-oriented businesses. If a business fails to satisfy its customers, chances are, they won’t be coming back. And don’t think it’s just one person. It can take one bad review to quite possibly create a domino effect where your reputation and future sales come crashing down. For that reason, all businesses must focus on their clients and try to make them happy. The main points to note here are to recognize the needs of the customers and ensure the organization works towards achieving them. 2.Leadership One common comparison in the business world is that between a leader and a boss. Bosses are often regarded as people who manage other people, whereas leaders are seen as those in a position of authority who use this position to inspire others to put their best foot forward. Having solid leadership in any organization could well be the difference between them working to achieve their goals and objectives and them just working for the next paycheck. Sometimes, the attitude of the team members is everything in a business. A solid leadership structure equals effective and efficient work ethics. 3. Engagement of People A collaborative work environment is invaluable in creating quality products and services. Everyone has a part to play in the success of the business. They must all work as part of a well-oiled machine for this success to happen. On that note, everyone should have respect for the other. Effective communication could ensure that all information is received by each member of the team and so they all play their parts while paying extra attention to the goals of the organization. 4. Process Approach According to the ISO, this is necessary to attain “Optimized performance through effective process management, efficient use of resources, and reduced cross-functional barriers.” The major point here is that all systems and processes are somewhat related since they are all geared toward one major goal in the organization. Integrating most of these processes can further simplify the general process is to form a functional unit. 5. Improvement It’s okay to be good at your business, but do you know what’s better than that? Getting better or improving! This not only ensures the constant production of quality products and services but also the creation of new and exciting opportunities for a brand or business. This requires the use of performance metrics to track progress and figure out a way to fine-tune the workings of the organization for even better results. It’s also an excellent way to learn from the mistakes made over time. 6. Evidence-Based Decision Making Making the right decision for your business is not as easy as you think. Some businesses try to do this with a little bit of calculation and lots of luck. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always have the best results. To make the appropriate decision for your business, it’s best to analyze all facts and data. Lay it all out on the table, and weigh the pros and cons before arriving at a decision. This increases the chances of this decision being the best you could have made under whatever circumstances you made it. This creates better operational effectiveness and also makes it easier to review these decisions when necessary. 7. Relationship Management All business relationships are important. This relationship could be that between the business and the customers, the business and its suppliers, and every other middle man such as auditing teams and more. And of course, there’s the relationship between the business and its team, that is, the management and the workers. The success of the business largely depends on the workings of the people involved. An organization that manages its relationship across all levels is likely to optimize the performance of each group [2]. Just determine the relevant groups involved in the processes and established a healthy, professional, relationship with them. Conclusion In the words of Shigeru Mizuno, “Quality needs to be constantly improved, but it is just as necessary to make sure that quality never deteriorates,” [3]. Ultimately, the ISO provides International Standards to establish a Quality Management system, a system that strives to enhance customer satisfaction
Incoming Quality Control: What It Is and Why It’s Important
What Is Incoming Quality Control? Incoming quality control (IQC) is the monitoring of the quality of raw materials and/or components before the product manufacturing process even begins. If your business is sourcing products from a third-party manufacturer, IQC is critical to ensure consistent batch quality in the long term and cut costs on addressing post-production defects. This is all the more so if you are importing products or components from a foreign country and have little to no direct oversight over the production process. Why Is Incoming Quality Control Essential? Most businesses nowadays outsource the bulk of their manufacturing process and focus on assembling, branding, and marketing their products. However, the chances are that your supplier is also outsourcing the provision of raw materials, the manufacturing of components, or the packaging of the final products to various sub-suppliers. The more actors get involved in the production chain, the more important IQC becomes. Unfortunately, suppliers and sub-suppliers are often tempted to cut costs by using subpar raw materials or lower-quality components than the ones required for your products. And if you think that this is an issue with new suppliers only, think again. In our practice, we have seen many long-term and trusted suppliers trying to take shortcuts by compromising the quality of the materials or the products little by little over time. They hope that you will not notice small, incremental changes in the products from one batch to the next. This phenomenon is known as “quality fade.” More often than not, such gradual deterioration gets overlooked, and the end consumer discovers the issue before you do. And as if that were not enough, sometimes even reliable suppliers make honest mistakes. At other times, they are unable to fully grasp your quality standards due to language barriers or cultural differences. What is the only foolproof way to prevent such mishaps from happening? Rigorous incoming quality control by an independent service provider. What Happens If I Do Not Have Incoming Quality Control? If you do not monitor the quality of your raw materials or parts pre-production, you risk ending up with quality issues with the finished product later on. Addressing these problems post-production will cost you a lot more money, time, and resources. You are also likely to face shipping delays and lower customer satisfaction. You don’t have to take our word for it, either. The Jesse Garant Metrology Center estimated that the aerospace industry saves $1,000 per every $1 spent on IQC. That translates to saving a whopping $80 million in rework expenses by investing as little as $80,000 in addressing defects pre-production! How Do I Implement Incoming Quality Control? The most important thing about incoming quality control is that it must take place before the manufacturing process has begun. You should not confuse IQC with post-production protocols such as first article inspection, product inspection, or pre-shipment inspection. There are different types of IQC, and not all will be relevant to your business. It all depends on your industry, products, and quality standards. Third-Party Lab Testing Depending on your products, you may want to test the raw materials and/or the components at a certified third-party lab. Such testing is particularly important when the composition or properties of the products can affect their safety, performance, or value. Examples include jewelry, rubber tires, food, and dietary supplements. Common lab testing methods include: Testing and measurement of the products’ physical properties, such as strength, flexibility, durability, stability, and flammability. Chemical analysis, which can involve composition analysis, metals testing, trace contamination detection, and identification of unknown substances. Testing of the products’ mechanical properties, such as resistance to structural fatigue, deformation, and fracture. Regulatory testing, which tests for compliance with the relevant industry or market standards. If your products could benefit from lab testing, you should seriously consider using a professional IQC service provider. The chances are that your suppliers and sub-suppliers simply don’t have the equipment, expertise, and personnel required for the task. Can I Just Have My Supplier Collect the Samples for Lab Testing? Why should you hire an independent IQC controller when you can have your supplier collect and send the samples to be tested at the lab? Three words: conflict of interest. Your supplier has a vested interest in their materials passing the lab tests with flying colors. As a result, they are likely to cherry-pick the best samples that meet your standards. The rest of the batch, however, may be of inferior quality — and you would be none the wiser. Here’s where professional inspectors come in. They will select random samples to ensure that they are representative of the overall quality of the batch and that the lab results are reliable. Incoming Inspection of Product Materials and Parts Your products may not require full-on lab testing. Nevertheless, it is still strongly recommended that you hire a professional third-party IQC provider to inspect the raw materials and/or any components before the start of the manufacturing process. This way, you will be able to detect and take up any quality issues with the supplier early on. You will also have a choice between removing the defective parts only or replacing the entire batch altogether. In any case, you would save a lot more time and money than if you were to discover the defects post-production. It is also a good idea to re-inspect the materials or components after the issues have been addressed to ensure full compliance with your standards. Checking the Component Data Form If your products are made up of various parts, as is often the case with electronics, they probably have a component data form (CDF). A CDF lists all the critical components of your products, as well as their approved manufacturers. CDFs help ensure that the suppliers comply with your or the industry’s standards and cannot use lower-quality parts for your products. A typical CDF will contain data such as: Type or model Part number Approved manufacturers Technical data, including materials, measurements, voltages, and securement methods
Classification of Defects in Quality Control Explained
It’s not enough for a quality control inspector to merely identify faulty items in your production line. They must also categorize and report any defects they have found according to your pre-set requirements. This process is known as classification of defects in quality control, and it is crucial. Knowing what types of defects you are dealing with allows you to make informed decisions about every product batch. Depending on the severity and number of the defects, you may accept the items or return them to be reworked. Alternatively, you could destroy the products and ask the manufacturer to produce replacements. In any case, if you do not address product defects adequately, you risk losing customers, money, and even your whole business. Classification of Defects in Quality Control 101: Defect Types At this point, you might be wondering how controllers are even able to categorize the different defect types. After all, there are countless industries and product varieties out there, and each comes with its unique challenges and requirements. Can one standardized categorization system do them all justice? The answer is yes, but with an important caveat: while there are three main defect categories that are used across various industries, the classification system leaves a lot of room for customization. But more on that later. For now, let’s take a look at the three main types of defects: minor, major, and critical. Minor Defects If a defect is classified as minor, that means the item does not comply fully with the product specs but is still usable. The defect does not affect the product’s marketability and functionality and only has a minimal impact on its appearance. A minor defect is typically so tiny and insignificant that the end-user might not even notice it. And even if they do, they are not likely to return the item, request a refund, or decide against buying it. Major Defects Major defects are a different beast altogether. They are considered much more serious than minor ones. Not only do major defects cause items to depart significantly from the buyer specs, but they could also negatively impact the appearance, performance, and/or function of the faulty products. What’s more, consumers are highly likely to notice major defects and return the item, ask for a refund, and even submit a complaint to your customer service department. Critical Defects Critical effects are called “critical” for a reason. They are the most serious defect type and typically render the product completely unusable. Oftentimes, items with critical defects can also be a health and safety hazard to your staff, your customers, and even third parties. And if your products are a risk to people’s health, that means you are at risk of potential lawsuits and product recalls — to say nothing of the consequences for your brand’s reputation. Handling Defects: Acceptable Quality Limits It’s clear that if quality inspectors find critical effects in an item, you would have to discard the product or even the whole batch. However, what’s less clear is what you should do with products with minor or major defects only. That decision is entirely up to you and depends on many factors, including: The industry standards The applicable regulatory framework Your customer base Your brand image The product type You need to consider all that and more to decide how many of each defect category you are willing to accept from your suppliers. Your tolerance for defects is also known as acceptable quality levels or acceptable quality limits (AQL). That is what the quality controllers will refer to when inspecting your products. And if you are having difficulty defining your AQL yourself, you can always consult with your controllers. Most professional inspection companies will have detailed standards for both AQL and classification of defects in quality control for various product types. However, the ultimate responsibility for setting your AQL lies with you as the importer. Useful Tips for Defining Your AQL As a general rule, the more serious the defect, the lower your tolerance for it should be. Many buyers have a zero-tolerance policy for critical defects. A single fault of this type will usually cause the item to fail the inspection and get recalled. Depending on the severity of the defect and the level of risk involved, the buyer may even cancel the whole order. In contrast, there is normally a somewhat higher tolerance for minor and certain major defects. However, it is essential to set clear limits on the exact number and sub-types of defects you are willing to accept. Let your quality inspectors know that even minor defects could cause an item to fail the inspection if there are too many of them. All that doesn’t go to say that you can’t have a zero-tolerance policy for minor issues, too — especially if you are serving higher-end customers or marketing your products as exclusive or premium-quality. In any case, however, your goal should be to minimize defects as much as possible and expect a high standard of work from your quality inspectors. Classification of Defects in Quality Control: Industry Examples The same type of defect could be insignificant in some products but absolutely critical in others. Moreover, different materials are susceptible to different kinds of damage. That’s why it is important to consider the unique realities of your industry and target market when classifying defects and defining your AQL. What follows are examples of what could constitute minor, major, and critical defects in four very different industries. Electrical and Electronic Products The electrical and electronic (E&E) product category includes any item that requires electricity to function: from household appliances and consumer electronics to children’s toys, power tools, personal care items, and more. Removable, non-permanent surface marks are a classic example of what is typically considered a minor defect in E&E products. Think dirt, dust, excess glue, or anything that can be easily cleaned or wiped away. The vast majority of importers and consumers will not see that as an issue. On the other
9 Must-Have Inspection Tools in Quality Control
These are no mere gadgets to play around with: the items below are some of the most indispensable inspection tools in quality control. Whether you are doing the quality control in-house or use an independent contractor, you want to make sure that you have some or all of these at hand to test your products. Key Inspection Tools in Quality Control 1. Measuring Tape Ensuring that product dimensions are as they should be is one of the most important parts of quality control. A measuring tape is an absolute must for verifying the size of larger products and their components, as well as shipping containers and retail boxes. The strip of a good-quality measuring tape can be made of metal, fiberglass, or flexible plastic. Ideally, it should also display both metric and imperial measurement units. 2. Dial Calipers However, even the best measuring tape out there will only get you so far. But what if you need to measure the thickness of a lid, the depth of a cup, or the diameter of a plug? If you are looking to measure smaller components or finer dimensions that require a high degree of precision, you need to get yourself dial calipers. This tool can take four different types of dimension readings: outer, inner, depth, and step. What’s more, you can use dial calipers to take comparative measurements. Simply take the reference dimension, set the dial to zero, and then measure the product being inspected. The indicator will show to what extent the measurement differs from the reference value. 3. Custom Measurement Gauges Do you want to take things up a notch and save your quality inspectors a significant amount of time and effort? If this is the case, consider having custom measurement gauges made. Not only will these speed up the quality control process, but they can also provide a broader range of measurements tailored to your product’s unique geometry. Most standardized gauges will not be able to deliver accurate measurements for products with unconventional spatial dimensions and multiple smaller parts. 4. Air Gauge An air gauge can measure a wide variety of product dimensions, including: Taper Depth Diameter Thickness Inside and outside dimensions You can also use an air gauge to locate any leaks. Air gauges come in many different styles. Hand-held gauges provide quick and portable measuring solutions on the spot, whereas assembly line air gauges can automatically check large numbers of parts or products as they are assembly-processed. Bench-type air gauges work great for smaller products: all you have to do is place the component inside the air gauge to get it measured. 5. Bore Gauge The bore gauge is another multi-purpose quality inspection tool. It is similar to an air gauge, with the exception that it only measures the inside of a product. Bore gauges can measure: Degrees of taper The dimensions of parts Grooves inside the part The dimensions of any steps inside the part Bore gauges come in two types: mechanical and electronic. Mechanical bore gauges have moving components that allow them to measure the inner dimensions of a part. Electronic bore gauges, on the other hand, use electrical current to take measurements. 6. Barcode Scanner Moving on from product dimensions and on to other, equally important aspects of quality control, the first tool that stands out is a barcode scanner. Barcodes contain vital information about each product and its journey through the supply and distribution chain. Those unique combinations of different-sized miniature bars are so critical that buyers will often return entire orders if even a single barcode is inaccurate or unreadable. That’s why it is absolutely crucial to provide your quality control team with barcode scanners that allow them to verify the validity and accuracy of your products’ barcodes. Don’t forget to also provide your quality inspectors with the relevant barcode specs. 7. Defect Stickers Quality controllers use stickers to label defective parts and products during the inspecting process. Depending on the product type, different stickers may be used to mark specific defects. Defect stickers are one of the best ways to ensure that all defective items can be quickly and easily removed from the batch. That minimizes the risk of faulty products accidentally making their way further down the supply line and even to the end consumer. Stickers also save time when tallying the defective items for reporting purposes, as they allow quality inspectors to see which defects were found on which components at a glance. 8. Pantone Color Swatches Pantone is the company behind the signature Pantone Matching System (PMS), a color standardization system that serves as an excellent aid in identifying and matching colors. The PMS palette consists of thousands of colors, each of which is assigned a unique three- or four-digit number followed by the letter C, U, or M (for “coated,” “uncoated,” and “matte”). Pantone swatches can help your quality controllers detect even minor inconsistencies in the colors of your items. This is especially important in industries such as printing, design, and fashion, where the products and/or packaging must conform to specific color codes. 9. Digital Camera When it comes to quality control, a picture is truly worth a thousand words. You should ensure that your quality inspectors have a good-quality digital camera to take photos of your products. This way, you can get real-time visual updates on both the state of your items and the inspection process. As a result, you will be able to stay abreast of any defects and other issues and make informed decisions about production, shipping, and more. What’s more, photos can serve as evidence that the quality control team did indeed visit your facility and inspected the products. Unfortunately, phantom inspections can be an issue with some third-party service providers. Must-Have Inspection Tools in Quality Control: The Bottom Line Quality control is essential to the continued success of your business. However, to ensure that your inspectors can do a job, you should see that they have all the necessary tools. Of
Guide to Quality Control Procedures for Manufacturing
This guide to quality control procedures for manufacturing will help you gain a better understanding of what quality control is, as well as give you all the information you need about quality control procedures, inspections, and more. In the manufacturing industry, there are two main goals you need to meet: delivering products on time and making sure they’re top-quality. Unfortunately, making these two goals align is no easy feat. However, it’s far from impossible! But before we get to that, let’s discuss the term quality control. What is it, and why is it so important? What Is Quality Control? Ultimately, quality control is a crucial concept in any industry. Whether you’re a sweater manufacturer, or you’re in the service industry, quality control will make or break your business. Using proven techniques that help determine product and service capabilities, quality control basically enables a company to provide a product/service that’s suitable for its intended purpose to its customers. Obviously, these techniques are different for each product, and will also vary from service to service, however, the process remains the same: Recognizing the requirements for each product/service Determining whether it’s possible to meet those requirements Furthermore, quality control ensures that only top-shelf products and services are released into the world. In the same way, the ones that don’t meet the recommended requirements should be discarded immediately. What Are the Benefits of Quality Control? Most people think that quality control only benefits customers, however, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Yes, your customers will get to buy high-quality products, but, in turn, by providing those products, you will get the following: An increase in customer loyalty Guaranteed repeat business New customers through referrals An improved market position Positive product branding A decrease in product recall In short, by ensuring product quality, you’ll get more business, and you won’t lose money due to product recall. Did you know that, in the US, one of the most frequent reasons for product recall is due to damage? Ultimately, that leads to losing millions of dollars due to faulty parts and poor quality. With that in mind, both parties (customers and manufacturers) have a lot to gain from quality control. Quality Control Procedures for Manufacturing Now that you’ve gained a basic understanding of what quality control is and why it’s beneficial for your business, let’s get into the real subject of this article: quality control procedures for manufacturing. Setting Quality Standards Some industries already have quality requirements set by an industry association, whereas others do not. For those without set requirements, the industry needs to come up with its own. Furthermore, the quality control standards will vary from department to department, but they should be objectively measurable. So, the quality standards for a customer service team obviously won’t be the same as the quality standards for a toy manufacturing company. Mainly, when establishing these standards, you should consider what you expect your final product to look like. Also, factor in the longevity of the said product. In doing so, you will have created a quality control standard. Focusing on Specific Standards It goes without saying that every manufacturer wants to ensure top quality in all aspects of their operation. But, for starters, it’s important to focus on the measures that will have the biggest effect on your profit. Obviously, these measures will vary from product to product and industry to industry. So, the first thing you need to do is set some standardized specifications. For example, a company that manufactures bed linen fabric should focus on the type of fabric they use, or rather, the thread count. If their fabrics are made from a 100% cotton/poly blend, and the thread count is set at (for example) 250, then that should be the standard. Selecting a Quality Control Method There are two ways to perform quality control checks: Full product inspection Statistical quality control (SQC). Full Product Inspection Full product inspection means checking your product at the input, transformation, or output stage against standards. The people who carry out this examination are called inspectors, and they measure the quality of your product against standards. While doing so, they also separate acceptable and non-acceptable units. After this inspection is complete, the inspectors can then look into why a product with unacceptable standards was made, and take measures to correct the mistake so it doesn’t happen again. The frequency of these product checks depends on the cost of inspection vs. the cost of no inspection. Obviously, inspecting every product is quite costly, however, no inspection can lead to a huge loss due to product defects. Ultimately, a better solution is to implement sample product inspection. Again, the size of the sample will depend on the required degree of precision, which varies from product to product. The higher the accuracy degree, the larger the sample. For example, full product inspections are done when the product in question is highly valuable or tends to get rejected at one of the production stages. Meanwhile, during a sample inspection, only the sample of work is tested and inspected for acceptance/rejection of an entire lot of products. There are two possible outcomes for a rejected sample: Discarding the entire lot Subjecting the lot to a full product inspection If the lot is subjected to full product inspection, then only the faulty parts are rejected, whereas the good parts are retained. Statistical quality control (SQC) There are two ways to perform statistical quality control: Through acceptance sampling Through process sampling Acceptance Sampling This type of sampling should determine whether or not the product in question conforms to the design specifications. Basically, a sample of the finished product is tested against the standard quality measurements, creating an acceptable quality variation limit. These variations can be due to chance or assignable causes. The acceptance sampling method ensures that the amount of defective products (if any) that makes its way to the market is kept at a bare minimum. Process Sampling During process sampling, the products are
50 Quotes About Quality That Sum Up Its Importance
Good quality is the single most important aspect of any product that you consume. In this day and age, increasingly more people make sure that the products they use meet certain standards, and so should you. Below, we’ve gathered some quotes about quality to show you just how important that aspect is. Let our choice of quotes about quality inspire you to always seek the best in everything. Never settle for less than you deserve, and always make sure to prioritize quality. The Most Famous Quotes About Quality to Promote Improvement #1. “Quality is more important than quantity. One home run is much better than two doubles.” — Steve Jobs #2. “Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly and get on with improving your other innovations.” — Steve Jobs #3. “Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.” — Steve Jobs #4. “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” — Albert Einstein #5. “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different outcomes.” — Albert Einstein #6. “Without changing our patterns of thought, we will not be able to solve the problems that we created with our current patterns of thought.” — Albert Einstein #7. “Quality questions create a quality life. Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers.” — Tony Robbins #8. “The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives.” — Tony Robbins #9. “A real decision is measured by the fact that you’ve taken a new action. If there’s no action, you haven’t truly decided.” — Tony Robbins #10. “It is quality rather than quantity that matters.” — Lucius Annaeus Seneca #11. “Be passionate about solving the problem, not proving your solution.” — Nathan Furr #12. “That which we persist in doing becomes easier — not that the nature of the task has changed, but our ability to do it has increased.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson #13. “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes About Quality to Inspire Hard Work and Dedication #14. “Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.” — William A. Foster #15. “The starting point of all achievement is desire.” — Napoleon Hill #16. “The most dangerous kind of waste is the waste we do not recognize.” — Shigeo Shingo #17. “Quality needs to be constantly improved, but it is just as necessary to make sure that quality never deteriorates.” — Shigeru Mizuno #18. “Every action is an opportunity to improve.” — Mark Graban #19. “More business is lost every year through neglect than through any other cause.” — Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy #20. “Almost all quality improvement comes via simplification of design, manufacturing… layout, processes, and procedures.” — Tom Peters #21. “Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.” — Henry Ford #22. “Quality is everyone’s responsibility.” — W. Edwards Deming #23. “The quality of life is more important than life itself.” — Alexis Carrel #24. “The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what is important.” — Martin Luther King, Jr. #25. “Men acquire a particular quality by constantly acting a particular way… you become just by performing just actions, temperate by performing temperate actions, brave by performing brave actions.” — Aristotle #26. “Quality is not an act. It is a habit.” — Aristotle #27. “The quality of our expectations determines the quality of our action.” — Andre Godin #28. “Make the workmanship surpass the materials.” — Ovid #29. “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” — Thomas A. Edison #30. “Always do things right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” — Mark Twain Motivational Quotes About Quality to Keep You Moving Forward #31. “Persistence is the twin sister of excellence. One is a matter of quality; the other, a matter of time.” — Marabel Morgan #32. “If a thing’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.” — Chinese Proverb #33. “A bad workman blames his tools.” — Chinese Proverb #34. “The ideas of control and improvement are often confused with one another. That is because quality control and quality improvement are inseparable.” — Ishihara #35. “Good quality is never achieved by accident.” — Ishihara #36. “One of the rarest things that a man ever does, is to do the best he can.” — Josh Billings #37. “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” — Vince Lombardi #38. “Eventually everything connects — people, ideas, objects. The quality of the connections is the key to quality per se.” — Charles Eames #39. “Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly until you learn to do it well.” — Steve Brown Quotes About Quality to Help You Make Better Choices #40. “Quality is the best business plan.” — John Lasseter #41. “Everything can be improved.” — C. W. Barron #42. “There is no such thing as a perfect method. Methods always can be improved upon.” — Walter Daiber #43. “By the work one knows the workmen.” — Jean De La Fontaine #44. “Do or do not… there is no try.” — Yoda #45. “Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.” — William A. Foster #46. “Anything worth doing is worth doing right the first time.” — Unknown #47. “Total quality management is a journey, not a destination.” — Unknown #48. “Higher quality costs less, not more.” — Scherkenbach #49. “Consumers, by seeking quality and value, set the standards of acceptability for products and services by voting
5 Important Points in a Garment Quality Control Checklist for Textile Testing
A garment quality control checklist is a document used by textile manufacturers and suppliers. It outlines the product specifications and quality requirements for the various textile products that are manufactured. The garment quality control checklist is typically framed before production begins. This checklist acts as a reference for the supplier and manufacturer throughout the production process. It is important that both suppliers and manufacturers draft this checklist after a thorough understanding of the requirements and quality standards of the garments to be manufactured. Let’s know more about the garment quality control checklist for textile testing. 1. Why Are Garment Quality Control Checklists Important? Garment quality control checklists serve as a set of preventive guidelines to identify defects earlier in the supply and production cycle that may cost heavily if left unnoticed. It also provides room for amendments and corrections before large-scale production begins. A garment quality control checklist ensures that: The supplier and the textile manufacturer finalize an agreement without any conflict of ideas about mutual benefits. The product meets the regulatory standards of the retail market. The supplier adheres to the standards of product quality. 2. What Are the Essential International Regulatory Bodies for Garment Quality Control? Garments meant for export need to meet the safety and quality requirements of the destination market. The quality control checklist includes a section defining the standards of the specific market. Quality control of clothes for the European Union, for instance, must adhere to the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) directives. Similarly, the US market strictly follows the guidelines as per the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). 3. What Should a Garment Quality Control Checklist Include? The process of garment quality control also includes adhering to specifications about instruments that should be used to measure garments. Furthermore, the checklist details a few of the following packaging specifics: Weight and dimensions of the package. Labeling and marking requirements by the shipper. Boxing material requirement as provided by the shipper. Details of packaging method and assortment. The garment quality control checklist for textile testing also includes a list of tools such as: a. Measuring Tape This is a flexible plastic tape used to verify dimensions of garments, retail packaging, and boxes used for shipment. b. Digital Camera This is used for photographic evidence, which is self-explanatory and hence, saves time that goes into explaining the details of defects. c. Defect Stickers These help to categorize defects with a detailed description. Tracking defects using stickers is easy and saves time. e. Pantone Color Swatch Pantone Matching System (PMS) is especially important to compare colors of garments with the specified color in the checklist. It helps to check color codes determined by the manufacturer. f. Barcode Scanner This scanner helps track products throughout the supply chain. It also helps segregate products or shipment boxes without a barcode. 4. What Tests do Quality Control Inspectors Perform as Part of the Garment and Textile Tests? Quality control inspectors check for the following parameters: a. Stitching Quality and Workmanship The factors checked are: The workmanship of the garment based on the guidelines. Presence of open seams. Presence of puckering in seam lines b. Visual Inspection Visual inspection includes: Checking for alignment and balance of garment. Making sure that the labels are placed as per specifications. Ensuring that the garment size and corresponding label is matching. c. Fabric and Raw Material Quality Check The following aspects should be a part of the fabric and raw material quality check: The fabric used to stitch garments should be as per the approved design. Inspection parameters like fabric weight, color, and fabric shrinkage limit should be verified. Measurements of the garment must be based on the specification sheet. d. Garment Packing These factors must be considered when inspecting the garment packaging: The packing list must be verified to ensure it is in keeping with the buyer’s instructions. Tags and stickers on the tag should be placed in the correct manner. Garments should have gone through a broken needle detection machine, which helps detect the presence of unnecessary elements like broken needles in garments. 5. Who Benefits by Strictly Adhering to the Quality Control Checklist? The following players in the supply chain stand to benefit from an effective quality control checklist: a. Manufacturers and Suppliers Suppliers and manufacturers have equal access to quality control checklists to verify guidelines at periodic intervals. This helps them avoid defects and monetary losses. b. Sales and Marketing Executives The sales and marketing teams may use the specifications in the quality control checklist to market the products in a better way. c. Quality Control Staff The quality control staff may belong to the factory management, purchaser’s internal staff team or maybe a third-party inspector. The checklist helps the concerned staff to ensure that the quality of the products is in line with the specifications. Wrap Up The best time to outline the checklist for garment quality control for textile testing is before the start of production. Having a strict set of guidelines that are agreed upon by the supplier and the manufacturer will help boost product quality, resulting in increased ROI
Here’s What the Pre-Shipment Inspection Procedure Entails
Pre-shipment inspection, or PSI, is a part of the supply chain management function and an integral aspect of quality control procedures for ascertaining the value of goods purchased from overseas suppliers. Before getting into the nitty-gritty of what is pre-shipment inspection, let’s go back to its history. This practice was introduced in 1994 in an effort to enhance international trade standards under the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade. This was later replaced by the World Trade Organization. The aim of pre-shipment inspection is to ensure that the production of goods is in compliance with the principal specifications, contract, and/or purchase order. This is accomplished through an inspection wherein random samples of finished products are examined, typically when at least 80 percent of the order has been manufactured and packed for export. PSI serves several purposes, including: Examining the quality and quantity of products. Scrutinizing products for defects. Ensuring that products adhere to the safety requirements of the destination market. Issuing necessary reports for importing and billing. Certified shipment authorities perform pre-shipment inspections. The procedure presents manufacturers with the opportunity to rectify their products before they are shipped, thereby averting costly import risks. The inspection addresses areas such as functionality, performance, sturdiness, appearance, and dimensions of the products. Read on to know about what the pre-shipment inspection procedure entails. 1. On-Site Inspection The inspection of products is carried out at the manufacturing plant or the factory. Inspectors gauge products for defects and use of prohibited ingredients or chemicals. If they find discrepancies, they recommend that the product undergoes further investigation and lab testing. This typically happens when products are suspected of containing toxins and restricted chemicals, which are vigorously regulated by the respective destination market. 2. Authentication of Quantity Counting of the shipping cartons ascertains that the right quantity of products is shipped. Doing so also ensures that the required number of products/cartons reaches the correct destination. After the counting, the findings of the inspection are accepted by the supplier, the buyer, and the bank, and the payment for a letter of credit is initiated. The cartons or boxes are also examined to see if the packaging material used is safe for transportation, and whether or not the products have been labeled accurately. 3. Selection of Product Samples Inspectors randomly select product samples for examination. All certified pre-shipment inspection services use the internationally recognized statistical sampling procedure ANSI/ASQC Z1.4 (ISO 2859-1). The acceptable number of imperfections in a batch before it is rejected is defined with an Acceptance Quality Limit (AQL). This value depends on the type of product being assessed. The primary aim, however, is to provide an impartial assessment. 4. Verification of Workmanship The quality control inspector examines the general workmanship of the finished products from the sample. Any visible defects are identified and categorized as minor, major, or critical. This assessment is based on predetermined acceptable tolerance levels that have been agreed upon by the manufacturer and the supplier during the product development stage. 5. Check for Adherence to Governing Specifications The inspector thoroughly scans the product’s dimensions, material, construction, color, weight, and markings and labeling. If the product is a garment/textile, the inspector verifies whether or not the right sizes have been assigned to the shipment. They also verify that the sizes correspond with production dimensions and labels. For other products, dimensions of the finished product may be measured and compared with the original specifications to certify their acceptability. 6. Testing Product testing is a crucial component of PSI. a. Function Testing Applies to garment and footwear inspections. Pull tests, fatigue tests, and stretch tests are performed to determine the quality of buttons, zippers, embellishments, and so on. Advanced tools are used to measure fabric density. The number of stitches per inch are counted. Thin fabric indicates a poor-quality product that is not resistant to daily wear and tear. b. Mechanical Safety Testing Applies to products with moving parts, like cars and pushchairs that could cause injuries if they are damaged. Product’s shape and design are gauged for sharp edges or imperfections that could harm users. The safety level of components such as screws and hinges in the final product is verified. c. Electrical Safety Testing Applies to electric products that are required to comply with several safety regulations before they can be certified for use. Inspection is typically performed in labs rather than on-site. The product undergoes voltage test, current test, insulation resistance test, and ground continuity test. The product is shipped only after clearing these tests. 7. Country-Specific Labeling And Marking The inspector ensures that products carry the necessary country-specific labels and markings. These depend on the type of product, the safety testing required, and the destination market. For instance, consider you’re exporting an electrical product from China to Germany. In this case, the pre-shipment inspection in China will involve ensuring that the product and packaging meet all the technical regulations laid down by the VDE e.V. Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies, a standard widely recognized in Europe. 8. Preparing the Report Upon the completion of the PSI, a comprehensive report is prepared with the pass/fail result clearly mentioned along with the necessary details and key findings. Several reports also include images that display all inspection points that visibly explain the discoveries. Conclusion The pre-shipment inspection procedure involves the careful examination of contract goods before they are shipped in a bid to verify their quality, quantity, and price. This procedure provides suppliers/manufactures with the much-needed assurance that their final product is ready for the destination market. Hopefully, the above mentioned PSI steps will help you understand this crucial procedure better. Feature Image Credit: People photo created by pressfoto – www.freepik.com
During Production Inspection in Improving Processes and Quality
Quality products drive business success. However, defects in products may occur due to human errors or problems with the machinery/equipment. These instances may result in a destabilized production process with products not meeting the customer’s specified quality standards. Conducting During Production Inspection (DUPRO) helps quantify and determine the level of quality in manufactured products. It helps monitor the techniques used to manufacture products. It also contributes towards uncovering major/minor defects in products before the final product release. It is important that the person carrying out the During Production Inspection be well trained with thorough knowledge of customer’s expectations and quality standards. Furthermore, During Production Inspection should be considered as an integral part of the production cycle. What Is the Objective of During Production Inspection? The objective of performing During Production Inspection is to monitor the production process and include corrective actions wherever required. It is done to avoid delays in the delivery of goods and identify production defects. For example, a During Production Inspection in China will include the evaluation of the partially finished products to maintain consistency in the quality levels of the product. During Production Inspection is also conducted for the following reasons: To certify the quality of the product manufactured. Facilitate high levels of excellence during product delivery. Identify and categorize defective products. Determine if processes are in line with appropriate quality specifications. Quantify process capabilities at various stages of the manufacturing process. A proactive production follow-up will also help guarantee smooth collaboration between the customer and supplier to improve the quality of goods delivered. Changes or improvisations in the quality of the product can be accommodated as a part of DUPRO. This helps in avoiding unnecessary loss and rejection after the production is over. When Should DUPRO Be Conducted? Performing During Production Inspection depends on the complexities involved in manufacturing the product. The inspection is typically done after beginning production and before completion. The supplier determines the frequency of these checks. According to the Promotional Product Association International (PPAI), DUPRO inspections are conducted when the production is 15% complete. The outcome of the inspection should be discussed in detail between the supplier, inspector, and factory management. This will help in devising a corrective action plan to address defects. What Is Checked-in During Production Inspection? The inspection includes a detailed assessment of the product to: Find physical imperfections like defects on the texture or interior of the product. Check the quantity of the product in terms of numbers, volume, and weight. Ensure the correct physical dimensions such as length, width, and thickness of the product. Examine the physical appearance like brightness, dullness, and color as per the required specifications. How Is During Production Inspection a Necessity? Inspection of goods after production may not serve the purpose. Consider a scenario of a complete order found unsellable just before final shipment. In this case, reworking will consume time resulting in a delay to deliver goods. During Production Inspection helps avoiding delays and loss due to defective products. DUPRO inspection is useful in the following scenarios: When the production includes a large number of products. If there is a stringent delivery time to adhere. There is a need for detailed reports about production, status, processes, schedules, and materials. What Are the Advantages of During Production Inspection? DUPRO is an important part of the production cycle as it is conducted during crucial points of production. Here are a few benefits businesses can realize due to a thorough During Production Inspection. On-time Product Delivery As an integral part of the production cycle, DUPRO ensures a high quality of products without impacting the time to deliver. Reduces Wastage and Cost DUPRO helps manufacturers have a firm hold on the production process and operations. In the long term, it enables improvement in product quality, thereby reducing defects. Improves Quality Awareness By strictly adhering to DUPRO, employees become aware of the quality standards that help achieve superior results based on the product specifications. Enhanced Customer Satisfaction Implementation of DUPRO improves the quality and delivery of products, which results in a satisfied customer base. Boosted Brand Reputation Providing quality products that unfailingly adhere to every customer specification enhances the reputation of the brand/business. Elevated Sales DUPRO also helps keep up with high product demands, thereby contributing to increased ROI and boosted sales. How to Get the Most of During Production Inspection? A thorough DUPRO inspection should include the following: Appropriate Rework Clause DUPRO inspection should include a plan to deal with products that are categorized as defective. The business contract must specify the financial costs that will go into taking corrective action on these products. It should also mention the name of the party that will be bearing these costs. Experienced Inspectors The legitimacy of the DUPRO heavily depends on the experience of the designated DUPRO inspector. Ensure that the concerned person has good knowledge of the production cycle and the possible defects that may occur. Wrap Up A common assumption is that the initial quality standards are upheld throughout the production process. However, there are instances wherein these may take a miss. During Production, Inspections are highly recommended to maintain consistency in product quality. This sneak peek into the intricacies of During Production Inspections will help businesses understand its significance, thereby motivating them to conduct inspections through a certified third-party authority to maintain quality standards. If you’re looking for first-rate quality control services that will help you uphold the superior standards of your products, feel free to get in touch with us today!