IQC & SA

Incoming Quality Control and Supplier Audits in Manufacturing

Supplier Audits
Supplier audits are formal assessments of a supplier’s quality management system, processes, and capabilities to ensure they meet the buyer’s expectations and standards.
Assess Supplier Capability: Audits verify a supplier’s ability to consistently produce high-quality materials.
Identify Potential Risks: Audits uncover potential risks and areas for improvement in the supplier’s processes.
Improve Supplier Performance: Audits provide feedback and guidance to suppliers, encouraging continuous improvement in their quality systems
Types of Supplier Audits:
First-Party Audit: Conducted by the supplier itself to assess its own compliance with its quality management system.
Second-Party Audit: Conducted by the buyer (manufacturer) to evaluate the supplier’s capabilities and compliance with the buyer’s requirements.
Third-Party Audit: Conducted by an independent certification body to assess the supplier’s compliance with industry standards or regulations.
Key Areas of Focus:
QMS: Documentation, policies, procedures, and implementation
Production Processes: Manufacturing methods, process controls, and equipment calibration.
Quality Records: Inspection data, non-conformance reports, corrective actions, and supplier performance metrics.

Incoming-Quality-Control IQC is a systematic process of inspecting and verifying incoming materials against pre-defined specifications and quality standards. It acts as a first line of defense against defects and non-conformities.
IQC help to
Prevent Defective Products: Catches potential issues early, preventing the use of substandard materials in production, thus avoiding costly rework or scrap.
Maintain Quality Consistency: Ensures that incoming materials meet the required standards, contributing to consistent product quality.
Supplier Performance Monitoring: Data provides valuable insights into supplier performance, helping identify potential problems and improve supplier relationships.
Key Activities:
Inspection: Visual inspection, dimensional measurement, material testing (chemical composition, physical properties), etc.
Documentation: Recording inspection results, deviations, and corrective actions taken.
Acceptance & Rejection: Deciding whether the material meets the acceptance criteria and authorizing its release to production or rejecting it.

Benefit IQC & Supplier Audit

Helps Identify Cost-Saving Opportunities	Enhances Supply Chain Transparency
Improves Product Quality,	Improves Supplier Relations
Reduces Risk of Product Recalls	Mitigates Supply Chain Risks

Alex T