FACTORY AUDITS & DOCUMENTATION
Qualify the partner.
Verify the scope.
A focused route through supplier documentation, factory review and product-specific evidence for your sourcing program.
WHAT YOUR BUYING TEAM NEEDS TO KNOW
Three layers of
supplier evaluation.
01
Factory identity
Confirm the legal entity, production site and scope associated with the documentation you request.
02
Current documents
Review issue dates, validity where applicable and the production activities covered by each record.
03
Product evidence
Treat product tests and destination-market requirements as a separate part of supplier qualification.
01 / PROFILE REFERENCES
A documented history
of supplier evaluation.
The 2024 company profile contains references to ISO 9001, BSCI, SMETA, BRC, WCA and brand-related factory assessments. These are historical portfolio references, not a statement that every document remains current.
Ask the team for the documents relevant to your sourcing policy, with the site, scope and dates clearly identified.
02 / PURCHASING REVIEW
Make the request
specific to your program.
A coffee service program, promotional campaign and licensed merchandise order may each require a different qualification pack. Tell the team which documents are mandatory and which are supporting evidence.
Separating quality management, social compliance, brand approval and product testing helps avoid requesting the right document for the wrong purpose.
BUYER’S WORKING CHECKLIST
A brief with fewer unknowns.
| Decision | What to define | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Entity & site | Legal company name and production location | Confirms which operation was reviewed. |
| Document type | Audit, management-system record or product test | Clarifies what the evidence actually establishes. |
| Dates | Issue date, expiry or reassessment cycle | Supports a current supplier decision. |
| Scope | Activities, facilities and products covered | Avoids assuming a broader scope than documented. |
| Buyer approval | Your qualification checklist and review owner | Creates a clear path to onboarding. |
FROM REVIEW TO RELEASE
A clear route to approval.
01
List
Send the mandatory supplier qualification requirements.
02
Match
Identify the available documents and their relevant scope.
03
Review
Check site, dates and any follow-up information required.
04
Complete
Agree the outstanding steps before purchase approval.
03 / SEPARATE THE EVIDENCE
Factory credentials.
Product requirements.
A factory assessment does not establish every performance or market claim for every item made there. The product itself needs a specification and the relevant test evidence.
Use the quality and laboratory pages to build that second part of your evaluation.
PROCUREMENT QUESTIONS
The details worth asking.
Can we see current certificates and audit reports?
Request the particular documents your procurement policy requires. The team can review the applicable current records and any sharing conditions.
Are the brand names in the profile certifications?
No. Project references, brand-related assessments and management-system documents serve different purposes and should be evaluated separately.
Does a factory audit cover our new product?
It may support supplier qualification, but the new product still needs its own approved requirements and relevant test evidence.
Can we use our own onboarding checklist?
Yes. Include the checklist with your inquiry so the required documents, review sequence and open questions can be discussed.
CONTINUE YOUR EVALUATION
Build the complete picture.
LET’S BUILD YOUR NEXT PROGRAM
A clearer brief.
A better starting point.
Send your design files, estimated quantities and target market. We will use your brief to define the development and production scope.