FIDELITY DEFINES QUALITY
Factory Audit (FA)
Factory Audit (FA) is an on-site evaluation of a supplier’s facility, working environment, and workforce structure to ensure their legitimacy. It is tailored for international buyers, helping them verify suppliers by assessing production capacity, quality management systems, and overall compliance. This service minimizes the risk of dealing with unqualified suppliers or fraudulent operators, providing peace of mind and confidence in your sourcing decisions.
Preparation and Planning
Define audit scope and schedule the on-site visit based on client requirements.
On-Site Evaluation
Assess the factory’s facility, workforce, production capacity, quality systems, and compliance standards.
Documentation Review
Verify legal documents, certifications, and operational records to confirm supplier authenticity.
Interviews
Conduct discussions with key factory personnel to clarify processes and resolve concerns.
Report Preparation
Deliver a detailed audit report with findings, photos, and actionable recommendations.
Follow-Up
Address client questions and support corrective actions if issues are identified.
When to Consider Hiring FA ?
Selecting a New Supplier
Before signing a contract, ensure the supplier has the capacity, quality standards, and compliance to meet your expectations.
Managing Supplier Risks
Mitigate potential risks like fraud, poor production quality, or unverified credentials before making large investments.
Verifying Compliance
Check if the supplier adheres to international standards such as ISO certifications, labor laws, and environmental regulations.
Resolving Quality Issues
Investigate recurring problems in product quality by auditing the supplier’s processes and systems.
Expanding Supply Chains
Evaluate multiple factories to find reliable partners when scaling operations or diversifying your supplier base.
Maintaining Long-Term Partnerships
Periodically audit existing suppliers to ensure they continue to meet agreed standards and identify areas for improvement.
Key Benefits of Factory Audit
Supplier Verification
Ensure the supplier is legitimate, reliable, and capable of meeting your standards before committing to a partnership.
Risk Mitigation
Identify potential issues such as production delays, quality failures, or compliance gaps early to avoid costly mistakes.
Enhanced Product Quality
Verify the factory’s quality control systems to ensure consistent product quality that meets your specifications.
Compliance Assurance
Confirm that the factory adheres to legal, ethical, and environmental standards, such as labor laws and sustainability regulations.
Time and Cost Savings
Avoid expensive mistakes or rework by addressing problems proactively through thorough assessments.
Strengthened Partnerships
Build trust and encourage accountability with suppliers by demonstrating your commitment to high standards.
Service Rate & Quotation
The rate for this QC service is 250 USD/Man-day.
Request a Quotation
The minimum quotation unit for an inspection is 1 Man-day (1 MD). To provide an accurate quotation, please provide the following details:
- Location: Typically the factory or warehouse address where the inspection will take place.
- Packing List or Product Details: Include the type of goods, quantity, and variations in styles or models. NOTE: this is not required for factory audits).
- Inspection Requirements (Optional): If no specific requirements are provided, our standard inspection process will be applied.
A Man-day (1 MD) refers to the total time required by an inspector to complete a task, measured in an 8-hour work period. This includes both inspection time and travel time.
For example:
- If an inspector spends 6 hours conducting on-site inspection and 2 hours traveling, this constitutes 1 Man-day.
- If the travel time and inspection combined exceed the 8-hour limit, additional costs may apply.
This structure provides transparent cost expectations while ensuring flexibility to accommodate different inspection scenarios.
Covered Regions
At SQT, We offer comprehensive quality control services across our covered regions. This includes China, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Burma.
The response time for setting up an onsite inspection is 24 hours in China and 48 hours in other countries across South-East Asia.
General Workflow
Inquiry Phase
- Received QC request
- communicate regarding basic details.
Requirement&Feadback
- Engineering team assesses feasibility.
- Finalize a quotation with service details and payment terms.
Quotation & Confirmation
- Send quotation to client.
- Client confirms and makes payment according to payment terms with us.
Scheduling
- Coordinate with supplier/factory to set inspection date.
- Inform the customer of the schedule.
Inspection
- Perform on-site inspection according to standards.
- Notify the customer immediately if major issues arise.
Reporting and Payment
- Deliver the inspection report within 24-48 hours.
- Collect remaining payment according to payment terms.