What we can offer
Here at QC services we offer a complete quality control and product sourcing service. Giving you peace of mind when purchasing goods from China. We deal with clients ranging in size from just a individual making a one off purchase to multinationals ordering 20+ containers a month, we can cater our services to suit exactly what you require.
Being a UK based company we know exactly what UK and European customers are looking for in their products in terms of quality, certification and reliability. So we feel we have an advantage over Chinese based QC companies who are maybe not so aware of these requirements. Our team of QC inspectors and sourcing agents have years of experience and will always go the extra mile to understand why you as a client have booked our services and what the key problems are you want us to overcome with your supplier.
Simple guide to our services
Factory Audit (From £300)
Cleanliness. A sloppy workplace (including workers’ appearances) indicates a sloppy attitude, and most likely sloppy performance.
Organization. Be sure to take some time to understand the entire workflow. Does it make sense? Can you see any bottlenecks? If you do not understand something, ask questions. If you cannot ultimately understand why a factory’s workflow is a certain way, it may be a warning signal.
Machinery. Get thorough explanations of what the machines do, where they are from, and other detailed questions. Asking detailed questions about the machines will make you seem smarter (thus less gullible). Listening to the answers will in fact make you smarter. Once you have toured several factories, you can make comparisons.
Quality Control. The key here is the number and location of QC checkpoints. Figure out how the rejected parts are handled. If you cannot understand that, it is likely that the workers also cannot.
Employee Conditions. In China, most laborers live at the factory. Regardless, happy workers make for productive workers. Be sure to visit the employee housing areas to see how they eat, sleep and live when they are not on the floor.
Location. The factory should be close to its suppliers – otherwise, there can be supply bottlenecks. It should also be close to a port from which it can ship. Finally, learn about whether there are utility quotas in the area that affect production – this is especially important for electricity. suppliers in China and monitor regular suppliers. It vets your vendor’s capability to fulfill your orders in the desired quantity, meet your quality objectives, and comply with timeframes. guarantee you won’t be able to find better quality elsewhere.
Each manufacturing audit is unique, combining our own manufacturing audit checklist, which includes over 100 checkpoints, with your specific requirements.
Pre-Production Inspection (From £270)
The Pre-Production Inspection (PPI) is completed after you identify and evaluate your vendor / factory and is done right before the beginning of the actual mass production. It can be completed at the factory or at the vendor office. The goal of performing a PP Inspection is to make sure your vendor has understood your specific requirements and the specifications of your order and is actually prepared for its production.
What do we check during a Pre Production Inspection?
Raw materials and key components of your order, relationship between the factory and the vendor, understanding of your demands by the factory, samples, costs, production schedule and processes, in-house quality control checks and key persons from the vendor and factory (production manager, people who speak English etc).
The added value of the Pre Production Inspection?
The PP Inspection will help you to setup the preliminary production testing to match the required sample. By performing this inspection, you will get a clear vision of the production schedule and get ahead of any possible incoming problems, which could affect the quality of your goods. Most of the time, the main reason for production issues and poor quality is not the know-how of the factory but rather the misunderstandings between you and the manufacturer which often come from culture and language differences. The PP Inspection will allow you to get past this communication gap and make sure both parties understand each other.
Highlights of this quality control inspection service
1> Is everything well prepared before the production starts?
- Are my requirements and specifications (material, color, etc.) well understood?
2> Is everything ready before mass production?
- We can help you implement corrective actions as soon as possible.
3> Is the factory well prepared to meet my expectations?
- Avoid unexpected delays and costs.
Why should I book this quality control inspection?
As an international buyer, you are often facing poor communication. You want certainty, and you want to make sure your requirements are well understood. You want to make sure that the production will start efficiently with the right materials and the right processes. The pre-production inspection will give you this peace of mind and is a great way to keep pressure on your vendors while showing your clients that you care.
During Production Inspection (From £250)
The During Production Inspection (DPI) will take place during production between 20% and maximum 50% of the manufacturing process. We check packed and ready to go products.
What do we check during a During Production Inspection?
Product appearance (AQL), workmanship quality, size measurements, weight check, functionality assortment, accessories, labeling & logos, packaging, packing and other tests and special requirements, depending on the product and the export market. The During Production Inspection (DPI) will also cover the raw materials, unfinished products and the planning of production.
The added value of a During Production Inspection?
We will intervene in the middle of the production process, we check if the quality of your products reaches your standards and we make a statement of your production schedule. We inspect the actual production volume to avoid any delays in your final shipment. At this stage, you can still modify the production protocol and still be on time with your order in case of problems.
Highlights of this quality control inspection service
1> Assure that the mass production quality is the same as the golden sample
– Implement the necessary corrective actions before having too many defects
– Be aware of the percentage of defects of finished products
2> The exact statement of the production planning
– Avoid unnecessary costs and delays
Why should I book this During Production Inspection?
Because you might want to check if the production is running smoothly, especially if no final random inspection were performed during the first processes of the production. Because you should keep pressure on your vendor’s shoulders and because trust is good, but control is better.
Pre-Shipment Inspection (From £280)
Quality issues on products manufactured in China do happen and they often impair business profitability, affect brand image on the market and can mean lost sales, product returns and factories stopping production.
The most traditional kind of inspection that is performed on exports from China is the Pre-Shipment Inspection before shipment. After production is completed and all merchandise is ready and packed for shipment, inspectors randomly inspect batches of products to check compliance to the specifications and requirements, including cosmetics, function and packaging. It is based on a statistical approach know as AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) and defined during World War II for the US military, that allows to test only a small number of units out of a large batch of products.
What is checked during a Pre-Shipment Inspection?
Three types of issues can trigger the failure of the inspection, and potentially the refusal of the shipment by the purchaser:
1. Conformity to specs:
All the relevant aspects of the product are controlled: quantity, components, assembly, aesthetics, function, size, labeling, packaging, etc.
Ideally, the buyer has constituted a document listing all the specifications of the product to inspect, and these specs become the inspector’s checklist. When no such information is provided, the inspector simply collects information for the buyer’s review.
2. Number of visual defects:
Based on the sampling plan, the inspector selects a predefined number of products at random. He checks them one by one, and counts the number of defects, which are compared to the AQL limits.
3. On-site tests:
Depending on the type of products, certain tests are included in the inspector’s job. For example: a product drop test on 3 samples, from 80cm high on concrete floor (if at least 1 sample breaks or does not function any more, the test is failed).
Pre-Shipment Inspection(PSI) will ensure your products are consistent and compliant with all country, industry or otherwise-specified requirements and that no critical major or minor defects appear.
Container Loading Inspection (From £250)
The Container Loading Supervision (CLS) will take place right before the vendor / factory / manufacturer is supposed to load the goods inside the container and also during the loading process. This inspection usually takes place at the factory. It can also be performed at your forwarder’s premises.
What do we check during a Container Loading Supervision?
Quantity check, packing list check, the container conditions, the process of the loading (cartons conditions, filling-up level etc), a quick spot check on quality, packaging & packing of your products.
Please note that for complete QC checks on product specifications, function test, labeling & marking and cosmetic (AQL) testing, you should book a standard inspection, such as a Pre-shipment inspection or During production inspection.
The added value of the Container Loading Supervision?
As your goods will travel for days or weeks to reach the final destination, you would like to ensure that the number of boxes are right, the loaded goods are yours and the products are not damaged.
Highlights of this Container Loading Supervision service:
A- We provide the status of the container itself
B- The right goods, no replacement of products possible
C- The quantity of the boxes is exact
D- The loading will be done with care (limitation of broken goods due to loading)
E- The inspector will call the office so that you get immediate feedback. If you read your e-mails quickly and if you have instructed your vendor to wait for your green light before shipping, you have a chance of stopping disasters
F- The container is forwarded to your shipping forwarder
G- We note whether a seal is affixed on the container
H- We perform a final check on packing
Why should I book this Container Loading Supervision?
Because you don’t want your goods to be improperly loaded in a humid container with broken cartons and broken products. Save time and money and secure your imports with our CLS, while keeping pressure on your vendor to push for continual quality.
100% Defect Sorting Service(Price on application)
The purpose of the 100% Defect Sorting service is to sort out as many products as possible that have been known issues (ex: general appearance, workmanship, functions, safety and other problems.) during the number of inspection man-days allocated. And other checks will not be done during this inspection.
This service ensures each piece of finished products meets specified quality requirements that from customer. Usually, the requirements is a shorter list and provided by customer, to make sure the 100% sorting work can be done in a faster and effective way. Sorting Inspection puts one engineer and serveral inspectors onsite perform to 100% inspection for one or some workday, to ensure each piece can meet client’s requirement, all defect ones will be sort out.
Why You Need 100% Defects Sorting Inspection:
If the goods is expensive or very important, you cannot afford any risk of defects, you can use the sorting inspection to make sure all shipping goods are upto standard.
What is the benefit of the 100% Defect Sorting Inspection Service?
This service will help you to sort out the bad products from the good ones. It's also an efficient way for you to check if your factory has reworked the products as requested and check the percentage of defects in your shipment.
Why should I book this 100% Defects Sorting Service:
After a FAILED inspection, instead of sending back the inspector to simply make a Re-inspection, you can send back inspectors to focus on a few points and on opening as many cartons as possible (within the allocated number of man days) in order to sort out as many defective items as possible.