What is Third-Party Product Inspection?
Inspection is necessary for the product so that faulty components can be detected earlier and removed before the product reaches the shelves of stores in the markets. Minimized errors in product and production plants mean improved quality of final product. The quality inspection is done in order to make sure the producer can meet the required features of the product moreover he has the capacity to produce the required quantity of the product.
The third party inspection here matters a lot. The producers themselves can go for the in-house product quality inspections but they do not worth a lot and are least trusted by the customers. It is believed that in-house inspection can be biased and third-party inspection will be neutral and detailed.
Third party inspection is also known as TPI which deals in detail with three aspects. Initially, they are independent and dealt by a third party which is expert in auditing firms and itself is neither a supplier nor a buyer. Most commonly third-party audits are asked by buyers to make sure they will get their demanded products from the suppliers under international quality standards like ISO 9001, ISO 14000, SA 8000 etc.
Secondly, the TPIs are impartial and they are neutral in nature. They don’t take sides to make the buyer or the supplier happy. All TPIs have to do is to make sure supplier is able to supply exact order to the customer under international and regional quality standards. Lastly, TPIs are conducted by highly qualified and trained inspectors from the audit firms. These audit companies are certified by ISO 9001 and have AQSIQ licenses with sufficient relevant experience. Therefore these are more trustworthy inspections.
Benefits of Third-Party Product Inspection
Making profits for the business is the ultimate goal for the suppliers. To earn profit they need to sell quality products. Ensuring product quality is, therefore, one of the ultimate goals of manufacturing firms. To make sure every production unit is working properly and the end product does not have any fault in it, side by side quality check is done on the product. This saves suppliers from financial and time loss that could be faced in case of returned or late orders.
Third party inspection is considered well-justified all around the globe to announce suppliers as the right choice. Third party inspections increase the value of the suppliers by giving them clearance licenses in their audit reports. These audit reports are since neutral and formed by experienced staff, therefore, they are fully trusted by the buyers.
Buyers can even access these quality and the audit reports of previous times online from their places without visiting suppliers physically. This helps them to make quick decisions about the suppliers. The confident relationships are built between buyers and suppliers if buyer trusts their capacity and work ethics. TPIs not only save money to the suppliers but also earn long-lasting relationships to them.
With respect to companies internal progress, when supplier have access to TPIs then avoids spending cost on training internal staff for in-house quality inspection. The supply chain of a company also gets integrated with quality standards effectively.
TPIs thus help to earn the company a better place in the market to strive in the present world competitions. As the products tested and approved by TPIs are easily traded in international markets by going through least quality checks on the borders.
When to Use Third-Party Product Inspection
Third party inspection for the products becomes necessary when,
- Buyers are working with a supplier for the first time
- Quality check is needed on new projects
- Poor quality complaints are received on existing projects
- Buyers need to purchase high cost or the premium items like heavy machinery, electronic equipment, industrial plants and machinery etc.
- When firms need to retain or increase their goodwill by making the contract with high profile firm