Importers new to the world of overseas manufacturing and quality control inspection are often inundated with a variety of quality control terms that seem to have the same meaning.
For example, some importers confuse “product testing” with “product inspection”. And what’s the difference between “inspection” and “quality control”? Don’t all of these processes involve checking and examining a product?
Can you conduct both quality inspection and testing at the same time and location? Can your supplier carry out both these processes for you, or do you need to manage either independently? How many units do you need to check to get a reliable assessment of product quality?
In fact, product inspection and product testing generally refer to two different steps in a broader quality control strategy. So let’s explore the difference between these two quality management options available to you and see how they might fit into your quality control plan.
How do Quality Inspection and Testing Differ?
Product testing and product inspection address different quality concerns for importers evaluating their product. Are there scratches on the screen of your tablet PC? Are there skipped stitches in your woven garment? These are the kinds of questions product inspection can help answer about your products.
Do you need to know the chemical composition of the paint your supplier is using to coat your furniture? Or whether your children’s toy meets U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission standards? Product testing will likely be the relevant avenue for answering these questions.
Product testing, often known as lab testing, typically involves testing a product against a specific standard or regulation in a certified laboratory. Whereas product inspection often involves checking a random sample of an order for compliance with a buyer’s requirements and specifications.
Article Source: Intouch-quality
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What is the Difference Between Inspection and Quality Control?
