Ten Key Points of Purchaser Inspection(2)

Zero tolerance items include:

Verify compulsory licenses and certificates, such as commercial or export licenses, which will help confirm the legitimacy of the operation of the cooperation program;

During the audit process, collect evidence of child labor or forced labor through on-site inspections and inquiries to managers.

During the field audit, the auditor may observe serious violations. For example, if there are obviously underage workers on the production line when the auditor visits the factory, the auditor can show it in their report.

Buyers need to conduct a separate audit on this in order to fully evaluate the corporate social responsibility. Buyers will avoid cooperating with suppliers who violate zero tolerance requirements, because such violations will bring various risks.

2. Maintenance of basic facilities, environment and equipment

Factory tour is the most basic and vital part of the entire field audit process. Field audits can reveal the current operating conditions and operating environment of the production enterprise.

During the visit, the auditors filled out their findings in the corresponding list of the audit checklist, covering the main production facilities, environment and equipment. The field audit of this part mainly includes the following inspections:

Whether it has Customs Counter-Terrorism Trade Partnership (C-TPAT) or Global Security Verification (GSV) certification (depending on the industry);

Can adequate lighting be provided in production, quality control, packaging and storage areas;

Whether it has proper production hardware, including intact windows, walls and roof;

Whether the daily equipment is cleaned and maintained, including a dedicated maintenance team;

Whether the mold has normal storage conditions and use procedures;

Whether the routine testing equipment is calibrated;

Is there an independent QC department.

Irregularities in the production area can easily lead to quality problems. For example, how can QC personnel inspect goods without sufficient lighting, how to ensure that the production unit meets the standards? How can production personnel maintain consistent product quality in the absence of regular inspection and calibration equipment?