由Nicolas ・ Binse

當控制來自中國供應商的產品的質量的重要性對多數國際買家時現在是顯然的，問題依然是在對怎麼做它。

實驗計劃
首先您需要考慮什麼您確切地想要控制。 它理想地來自您什麼的自己的定義為您的產品和您的事務是重要的。 幫助您以定義實驗計劃，嘗試考慮什麼是過去質量問題您面對，帶來您要求檢查的一个; 或審閱產品的規格并且採摘可能有對您的顧客的最巨大的衝擊的那个。 記住應該根據什麼做檢查計劃成敗未定： 產品的價值和重要性。 明顯地，您也許不想要測試紙卷組織一樣廣泛地像醫療呼吸設備。 一個典型的實驗計劃包括幾個化妝和功能項目檢查，以通行證和出故障標準。 大多數根據視力檢查或基本的儀器測量(統治者、輪尺、秤等等)。

專業檢查公司應該能根據您是的產業協助您在定義您的實驗計劃，您的顧客檔案，并且，當然，產品的種類您來源從中國。 由經驗他們在玩具，它知道什麼具體地尋找設備，原材料，紡織品和汽車零件，為例子。

Your inspection plan should also cover the expected confidence level you want to achieve. It is usually defined in percentage of defects you can accept, using the standard statistical AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) approach. An AQL level of 0.4 means you accept to receive a shipment with potentially up to 0.4% defects (that means 99.6% good). 100% confidence can only be achieved by 100% testing, the AQL approach greatly reducing the number of units to be tested (to around 5% to 10%) and the associated costs.

Inspection location
Once you have your inspection plan in hand, you need to define where to have it performed. Unless specific reasons dictate, inspections should take place at the supplier’s site, after production is finished and before products leave the factory. That is where you can get the highest benefits in terms of reaction time and cost. If you are on a very tight schedule, inspections can also be performed during the production cycle. Inspections at a later stage, before loading at the port of departure, or even upon arrival in the country of destinations, are quite specific and can be justified for various reasons, like sensitivity to transportation, impossibility to access the manufacturing site or consolidation with other materials, availability of special testing equipments.

Planning and ordering
Take into account that an inspection company needs a few days to organize themselves to validate your testing plan and send inspectors to the supplier site. The sooner you do it the better, but not later than two to three days before the expected date for shipment from the factory. Finalize all arrangements beforehand.
Before placing an order, make sure that you have your detailed testing plan defined and that you know the total quantities to be shipped, the expected shipment date and the exact location (detailed address and contact information of your supplier). This will have to be communicated to the inspection company, who will confirm the booking price, for you to make your final decision. Most shipments just require a one day inspection, but it all depends on the number of samples tested (AQL level vs. total quantity) and the number/complexity of parameters to check (testing plan), it should be confirmed to you in advance by the inspection company.

If you have a business with a continuous flow of shipments from the same locations, a specific organization can be set up to support it and, thanks to economies of scale, costs can be contained.

Inspection report
After the inspectors go on site to perform their duty, you will quickly receive an inspection certificate with administrative information and the results of their findings: how many units they checked, what results they recorded and whether the lot(s) pass or fail. The ideal way is to hold the shipment until you receive the report, so that you can decide if any containment actions are necessary prior to shipment. Therefore, add on one to one and a half days to your regular schedule before shipment to allow for inspection. You should keep the records of the inspection reports for future reference.

Relying on an independent party to inspect on your behalf will not only help you to control your costs. It will also bring impartiality, efficiency and peace of mind in your relationship with your Chinese suppliers.

By Nicolas Binse*, Cotecna

(*) Nicolas Binse has spent over 10 years in Procurement and Supply Chain dealing with Asian and Chinese suppliers for international companies like Philips and Hewlett-Packard. His previous achievements include selecting and developing suppliers manufacturing in China, setting-up a quality management organization based in HongKong, and making strategic supply chain network recommendations for Asia Pacific operations. He is currently managing the consumer products combined audit, inspection and logistics services for the joint venture between Sinotrans and Cotecna in China.