Laboratory testing or third-party testing
As a supplier, how to determine the silver content of the silver earrings? How do you evaluate the elasticity of a pair of running shoes? How to consider the safety and stability of a stroller?
As long as the product quality, performance, safety and other parameters are involved, the laboratory can answer these questions. Evaluating the testing capabilities of a supplier’s laboratory must be rigorous, especially when purchasing products that must comply with relevant mandatory standards as required by law.
Of course, not all suppliers have their own laboratories, and not all product suppliers need to have a laboratory. However, if some suppliers claim to have such supporting facilities and are testing their products on this basis, field audits are necessary to verify this.
Specific verification items should include:
*Test equipment model and function;
*Testing capabilities, including specific test items and which international standards are referenced;
*The degree of perfection of training and assessment of laboratory staff.
If the supplier does not have a laboratory, the auditor should verify whether the supplier is cooperating with any qualified third-party laboratory. If the investigation shows that the factory does not participate in any testing, if necessary, the purchaser needs to arrange for a third-party testing company to conduct independent sample testing.