Auditoría de calidad de terceros frente a auditoría de calidad interna

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Auditoría de calidad de terceros frente a auditoría de calidad interna

Mantener la eficiencia de su cadena de suministro y la calidad general de sus productos puede ser algo que puede gestionar a través de un auditoría interna de calidadpero las preguntas son; - ¿Realmente puede dedicar el tiempo y los recursos necesarios para medir y gestionar eficazmente sus sistemas? - ¿Es capaz de realizar un análisis objetivo del estado de sus sistemas? - ¿Cómo garantiza esto su posición en el mercado a los ojos de sus clientes? Si conoce los pros y los contras de realizar tanto una auditoría de calidad interna como una auditoría de calidad de terceros, podrá asegurarse no sólo de que sus productos superan los requisitos mínimos de conformidad, sino de que tienen el máximo nivel de calidad posible, al tiempo que garantiza que está racionalizando sus operaciones de producción para que sean de la máxima calidad. ¿Le parece algo de lo que su organización puede beneficiarse? Siga leyendo para descubrir las ventajas de realizar una auditoría de calidad por terceros en lugar de recurrir a un equipo interno de auditoría de calidad.

¿Está al día de las últimas normativas sobre productos?

La oferta y la demanda de nuestro actual panorama minorista mundial hacen que siempre sea necesario estar al día de los cambios en la normativa sobre productos.

Auditoría de calidad por terceros

Un proveedor de calidad externo tiene acceso a recursos a través de asociaciones y una red de sistemas en línea basados en la nube que les permiten estar al día de las últimas normativas sobre productos. El acceso a una red como ésta es una parte clave de su oferta de servicios, esto es lo que distinguirá a un proveedor de servicios externos de buena calidad. Capacidades como esta son capaces de racionalizar sus operaciones, lo que puede ayudarle a sacar su producto al mercado con mayor rapidez, permitiéndole mantenerse a la cabeza de las presiones de la oferta y la demanda que se sienten en el mercado. Sin embargo, al realizar una auditoría de calidad por terceros, deberá asegurarse de que los auditores que elija estén especializados en su categoría de producto específica; de este modo, se asegurará de que estén al día de la información más relevante sobre productos y normativas. Tomemos como ejemplo la moda mundial de los fidget spinners; este juguete infantil llegó a las estanterías más rápido de lo que el mercado podía parpadear. Servicios de inspección de calidad por terceros - fidget spinner Resulta que más de 200 000 tuvieron que ser retirados debido al incumplimiento de los procedimientos, así como a que el producto presenta defectos críticos, lo que significa que este producto puede causar lesiones o daños a su consumidor final. Un auditor de calidad externo podría proporcionarle un informe de inspección imparcialIncluya la información anterior, protegiendo así su marca de daños y retiradas de productos que pueden llegar a ser extremadamente costosos.

Auditoría interna de calidad

La fiabilidad es clave. ¿Su personal interno puede dedicar el tiempo necesario a asegurarse de que comprende toda la información relevante sobre el producto que usted necesita? Aunque su organización tenga los conocimientos necesarios, es probable que no disponga de los recursos o la capacidad para dedicar a alguien que se asegure de que está bien documentado sobre las últimas normativas que se exigen. servicios de inspección de calidad de terceros - redes geográficasMuchas organizaciones no disponen de las amplias redes geográficas que tienen los grandes minoristas. Por lo tanto, su personal interno acaba dedicando mucho tiempo a viajar para realizar inspecciones de control de calidad, sin dedicar suficiente tiempo a centrarse en la calidad de un producto. Esto suele ralentizar los procesos de producción, con un tiempo eventual de comercialización más largo. Si tomamos en consideración el ejemplo del Fidget Spinner, ¿cuál es la probabilidad de que su equipo interno sea consciente de esa no conformidad antes de que salga al mercado? Piense en ello. Un suceso como el anterior pone a su marca en un riesgo innecesario, con el potencial de una mala publicidad y una importante pérdida de ventas. Puede ¿Se lo puede permitir su organización?

¿Dispone de todos los conocimientos técnicos?

Los conocimientos técnicos sobre productos y la amplia experiencia en pruebas e inspecciones son un bien infravalorado en la cadena de suministro minorista, ¿cómo puede empezar a aprovecharlos en su beneficio?

Terceros

Un proveedor de calidad externo puede poner a su disposición una amplia red de conocimientos técnicos relacionados con su producto y sus sistemas de calidad, desde auditorías de fábrica hasta equipos de inspección y ensayo y cualquier técnica específica que pueda ser necesaria para garantizar el cumplimiento de su producto. servicios de inspección de calidad de terceros - red tecnológicaAlgunos equipos de ensayo pueden ser exclusivos de un producto específico o si hay una actualización de los procedimientos de ensayo para incluir los cambios recientes en la normativa. A menudo, los proveedores externos pueden ofrecer soluciones técnicas basadas en las especificaciones anteriores, junto con equipos que conocen bien los nuevos procedimientos de ensayo. Los proveedores externos suelen enviar a sus inspectores a cursos de formación para que se familiaricen con los nuevos equipos y procedimientos de ensayo, a fin de garantizar un servicio de alta calidad con un índice mínimo de retirada de productos. Para los proveedores de calidad externos es prioritario estar al día de las últimas tendencias y novedades de su sector, junto con las mejores prácticas que deben seguir. Este tipo de conocimiento y experiencia puede aprovecharse para obtener una ventaja competitiva.

Calidad interna

Aunque su equipo interno puede tener conocimientos sobre el funcionamiento interno de su producto y sus procedimientos de calidad ideales, la realidad es que no siempre es suficiente. Mantenerse al día y supervisar lo último en normas y reglamentos requiere muchos recursos, a lo que se añade el reto de mantener y garantizar que toda la documentación se actualiza correctamente, lo que a menudo no ocurre. Esta cantidad limitada de recursos puede crear procedimientos innecesariamente complejos, que se amontonan hasta el cielo, pero que podrían haberse evitado con mucha planificación estratégica y estructura. Esto no suele ser el fuerte de muchas organizaciones pequeñas. La clave está en conocer tus puntos fuertes y centrarte en ellos para el crecimiento de tu organización.

Tecnología adecuada para procedimientos de alta calidad

El uso de una tecnología adecuada que le permita hacer un seguimiento de su progreso operativo y de aspectos como los informes de inspección de sus productos es esencial para agilizar sus operaciones de calidad.

Terceros

Es esencial que los proveedores de calidad externos dispongan de plataformas adecuadas y apropiadas para gestionar eficazmente los sistemas de calidad de sus clientes. Estas plataformas también deben ser capaces de registrar y hacer un seguimiento adecuado de todos los datos, así como de gestionar determinados aspectos de la documentación y la comunicación. Esta tecnología proporciona datos exhaustivos que permiten conocer mejor la cadena de suministro, algo que de otro modo no estaría disponible. Estos datos pueden aprovecharse en estrategias para su marca, desde la mitigación de riesgos a la gestión de inventarios, pasando por la forma en que realiza las pruebas de producto en su laboratorio y los tipos de informes de inspección que se están elaborando. Tiene que proporcionar información valiosa y práctica para que pueda optimizar sus sistemas de calidad y lograr una mayor eficiencia, lo que debería llevarle a una mayor tasa de producción y a una comercialización más rápida de sus productos. inspección de calidad por terceros - solución TCFsu producto. Si sumamos todo esto, empezaremos a ver márgenes de beneficio más altos y también habrá aumentado la capacidad de satisfacer la oferta y la demanda de nuestros productos, creando esa deseada ventaja competitiva. Veamos brevemente la solución del Expediente de Conformidad Técnica; Se trata de una solución de conformidad que le permite obtener información fiable y precisa sobre sus procesos de conformidad. Se ofrece a través de una plataforma basada en web y es una una ventanilla única para todos sus documentos de conformidadcon actualizaciones en tiempo real y acceso y perspectiva 24 horas al día, 7 días a la semana. Este tipo de tecnología permite a su organización una mayor concentración, control y conocimiento.

Calidad interna

Disponer de tecnologías o sistemas actualizados puede suponer un reto porque los equipos de calidad internos siguen dependiendo en gran medida de hojas de cálculo de entrada manual, lo que crea demasiado margen para el error humano. Los datos sesgados pueden tener implicaciones de largo alcance para sus sistemas de calidad, que a menudo pueden desembocar en retiradas de productos y pérdidas económicas para su marca. A menudo se debate sobre el coste del software. Aunque se trata de un argumento válido, sobre todo para las PYME que intentan mantener la cabeza fuera del agua, que suele ser su única prioridad, se recomienda considerar la posibilidad de integrar poco a poco la tecnología en los sistemas de calidad para empezar a racionalizar los procedimientos y aumentar la eficacia. Uno de los mayores retos es la gestión sistemática de toda la documentación técnica. Es importante recordar que las autoridades tienen derecho a acceder al expediente técnico, que debe contener toda la documentación técnica. Algunos minoristas intentan recopilar esta documentación técnica a través de un equipo interno, pero a menudo es un poco lioso debido a diversas normas industriales como;
  • El fabricante cambia los materiales de vez en cuando porque ha encontrado un precio más barato en otro sitio
  • El comprador personalizará los productos solicitados para que sean únicos y tengan un mayor valor de mercado.
  • La mayoría de los informes de ensayo caducan un año después, por lo que a menudo la documentación está caducada o no existe.
Por lo tanto, un equipo interno tendrá que seguir persiguiendo a los proveedores para que proporcionen toda la documentación válida y, al mismo tiempo, estará sometido a la presión interna del equipo de merchandising para liberar el envío.

agilizar el proceso de liberación de envíos

Navegar por las aguas de la logística internacional es poco menos que un pequeño milagro que hay que superar sin el efecto dominó de las pesadillas que se producen por el camino. Sus envíos se atascan en la aduana debido a una documentación incorrecta crea una serie de retrasos para el resto de su operación.

Terceros

Trabajar con un proveedor de calidad externo que pueda desempeñar un papel clave en el proceso de liberación de envíos puede ayudar a evitar tener que navegar solo por esta compleja red logística. servicios de inspección de calidad por tercerosLos informes de inspección son esenciales para obtener el despacho de aduana de los envíos. Corresponderá al minorista, junto con su proveedor de calidad, establecer una pauta de calificación de los informes. Esta pauta de calificación de informes constituye una base de automatización que reduce la cantidad de cambios manuales tras la revisión de los informes. La revisión manual de estos informes ralentiza enormemente los procesos de autoenvío y todo este proceso pierde sentido. Un proveedor de calidad externo podrá proporcionarle los conocimientos del sector y las mejores prácticas relativas a los informes de calificación. También podrá personalizar sus informes de calificación en función de las necesidades de su producto. Una vez creado este informe de calificación, su proveedor de calidad puede utilizar sus sistemas técnicos para enviar informes diarios tanto al cliente como a la empresa de carga que haya elegido. Esto crea un proceso de liberación mucho más claro y rápido tanto para usted como para la empresa de carga. La montaña de papeleo, desde las licencias de importación hasta los informes de inspección completos, ellos lo tienen todo bajo control, lo que permite un proceso racionalizado y eficiente para su organización.

Calidad interna

¿Cuántas veces se le ha atascado un envío sólo para que le digan que no tiene la documentación correcta? Servicios de inspección de calidad de terceros - trámites aduanerosTradicionalmente, un equipo interno suele publicar los informes de inspección a medida que los recibe, lo que provoca retrasos importantes. Esto suele deberse a que los equipos internos de control de calidad tienen que viajar mucho, lo que significa que no tienen tiempo suficiente para realizar las aprobaciones necesarias para que los envíos se publiquen a tiempo. No quiero parecer repetitivo, pero tener un equipo interno capaz de gestionar la logística de los envíos sería un sueño, sin duda, pero pasar la aduana con seguridad depende de ser eficiente en todos los demás puntos que he mencionado antes. Los equipos internos que no dispongan del tiempo, los recursos y los conocimientos técnicos adecuados tendrán dificultades para hacer frente a problemas que, de otro modo, podrían haberse evitado. Así que este es el trato... La gestión de la calidad es un sistema complejo que requiere 100% de su atención y concentración. Es usted capaz de dedicar tanto tiempo y recursos a garantizarlo? Esta es una pregunta que muchos no quieren responder, pero la realidad es que a menudo no puede permitirse el tiempo y los recursos necesarios para crear sistemas de calidad totalmente optimizados que puedan producir productos de alta calidad para su marca y a tiempo. Entonces, ¿qué? Puede que merezca la pena considerar la posibilidad de contratar a un proveedor de calidad externo que pueda dedicarle el tiempo y los recursos que necesita para racionalizar las operaciones de su cadena de suministro. Un proveedor externo de calidad puede proporcionarle; * Lo último en regulación de productos * Experiencia técnica * Disponen de la tecnología adecuada para agilizar sus operaciones * Tienen los conocimientos sobre cómo navegar por las aguas de la logística internacional para su marca. Esto le dará margen para empezar a centrarse en lo que se le da bien: fabricar productos de alta calidad y crear un nivel de confianza con su consumidor que sea competitivo a escala mundial. ¿Tiene experiencia trabajando con servicios de inspección de calidad de terceros?
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Comparing the old and the new in compliance software

Maintaining supply chain compliance is an issue retailers/importers have found more difficult to navigate in recent years with an increase in pressure from consumers for more ethical products, and the digitization of retail supply chains.

Dealing with compliance issues have long been managed by manual compliance document filing procedures, which may have provided one a greater level of control in some respects in the past, but also made it that much more difficult to stay on top of one’s supply chain with all the heavy paperwork.

The need for an update in the way that compliance was documented, implemented and achieved was evident.

This brought about the advent and introduction of an online compliance solution. Web-based filing presented an all-in-one platform that promised greater transparency, and control over one’s supply chain in real time.

However, even with this tool there are still retailers/importers today who rely on more traditional means by which to tackle ever evolving issues that can be more readily addressed with more the accurate reporting data, flexibility and speed of an online solution.

In this blog post we will take a look at the benefits of the online compliance software known as the TCF solution over traditional compliance filing procedures, in the hope of showcasing why bringing supply chain compliance into the online age is a must for your household goods business.

tcf_software_vs_traditional_compliance (2).jpg

Often times retailers locally and globally are unaware of the options that are available to them, and also what benefits they can have for their organization. This often leads to sticking with what you know, sticking to a solution that may not always have the best ROI for your organization.

Why is this TCF solution right for you?

TCF is an online compliance software solution that:

  • streamlines your compliance and regulatory operations
  • provides actionable insights into the performance of your suppliers
  • allows insight into areas of risk that you may not have seen before
  • is extremely cost effective and efficient

The kind of visibility that a solution like this promises goes very far to help increase your productivity, therefore having a positive impact on your ROI.  

Learn more about the TCF solution API provides for household goods here!

Achieving compliance traditionally is a challenge right from the start. The constant back and forth communication with your suppliers, with a flood of emails to your inbox to constantly keep track of, to the unreliable manual entry spreadsheets. There is too much room for human error here to remain as productive as what consumers today are demanding.  

The digital landscape we find ourselves in is all about keeping up with the constant demand of the retail supply chain. If your current compliance systems are holding you back with errors that can be avoided easily, then your supply chain may not be as competitive or as productive as it likely should be.

TAKE A DIVE INTO LEARNING ABOUT HOW RETAILERS WERE ABLE TO OVERCOME THEIR BIGGEST QA CHALLENGES TODAY! SIMPLY CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR CASE STUDY NOW

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¿Problemas de cumplimiento? Necesita este software en línea

Cumplimentar un Expediente Técnico de Conformidad, como sabemos, es un requisito exigido por la normativa. Consolidar los documentos de conformidad es un reto inmenso y es una red de complejidades que a menudo crea confusión e incertidumbre. Las numerosas normas y reglamentos necesarios para que un producto específico alcance un determinado nivel de conformidad son tan complejos que puede resultar poco claro cómo empezar a abordarlos, por no hablar de tener las capacidades internas para empezar a abordarlos.

"¿Existe una solución a esta maraña de complejidad?".

En plataforma web de desarrollo propio con disponibilidad 24/7 y almacenamiento seguro de sus documentos. Una plataforma como esta puede crear un valor inmenso para minoristas, importadores y directores de calidad, ayudando a aliviar algunas de las presiones y complejidades de cumplimiento al mantener todo en un solo lugar.

En este post, entrevisto a Aurelien Dalle, Director de Operaciones de API, donde tratamos de desvelar algunas de las preguntas más frecuentes en torno a este nuevo software de cumplimiento, y los beneficios que puede proporcionar a las marcas que luchan con problemas de cumplimiento provocados por la falta de documentación, incompleta o incorrecta.  

P: ¿Cuáles son algunos de los retos habituales a los que se enfrentan las organizaciones en relación con el FCT y el cumplimiento de la normativa en general?

  • A menudo resulta difícil disponer y mantener internamente todos los conocimientos sobre productos, normas y reglamentos, así como la vigilancia reglamentaria, ya que la mayoría de las veces se necesita la ayuda de expertos técnicos en muchos campos diferentes.
  • Es difícil hacer un seguimiento de la documentación, ya que no existe un sistema informático de apoyo adecuado y a menudo se depende de muchos correos electrónicos y archivos Excel para los documentos.problemas de cumplimiento.jpg
  • En muchas organizaciones, el equipo de calidad es pequeño. En algunos casos, los únicos equipos lo suficientemente grandes como para llevar a cabo esta tarea son los del equipo de compras, e incluso entonces suelen necesitar la ayuda de los laboratorios para que les asesoren y juzguen sobre la conformidad y la calidad en general.
  • Es una tarea ingente y tediosa determinar los requisitos de cada producto y ponerse en contacto con los proveedores para recopilar toda la documentación. También puede ser una tarea agotadora revisar documentos de 50 páginas en un solo día.

P: ¿Qué hay que hacer después de aplicar el servicio TCF?

  • Si el cliente desconoce las normas y reglamentos aplicables para completar un TCF, el equipo de TCF de API puede definir y dar recomendaciones sobre el alcance del cumplimiento (normas obligatorias y documentación técnica, así como requisitos de rendimiento recomendados) del producto para su mercado de destino.
  • El equipo del TCF de la API empieza a ponerse en contacto con los proveedores proporcionándoles acceso a la base de datos e informándoles, a través de la herramienta TCF, de los requisitos exactos que se aplican a los productos para que los proveedores puedan empezar a cargar los documentos, en caso de que ya tengan la documentación a mano; de lo contrario, el proveedor empezará a organizar las pruebas necesarias en laboratorios.

P: ¿Cómo puede beneficiarse una organización de este cumplimiento de la normativa? ¿software?

  • La herramienta TCF proporciona información centralizada, disponible 24 horas al día, 7 días a la semana. Ofrecemos conocimientos técnicos del laboratorio API y estadísticas automáticas para supervisar el rendimiento específico de los proveedores. También hay recordatorios organizados integrados en el sistema, que hacen un seguimiento de todo tipo de actividades y fechas dentro de la herramienta.
  • Seguimiento de las fechas de validez y caducidad de las normas/documentos y control de versiones, de modo que no sea necesario volver a comprobar el mismo archivo para los siguientes pedidos.

P: ¿Cuál es el plazo de entrega de un TCF completo?

El plazo de entrega depende del rendimiento del proveedor, así que en general puede ser de 1-2 semanas hasta 2-3 meses. A veces puede ser más, ya que algunas pruebas de resistencia específicas duran varios meses.

P: ¿Qué ventajas tiene utilizar una plataforma web?

Este software y su información están centralizados y se puede acceder a ellos desde distintos países. Minimiza la cantidad de correos electrónicos enviados y recibidos, al tiempo que reduce el número de colecciones de documentos de gran tamaño. Además, estos documentos se archivan de forma automática y adecuada para cada elemento.

P: ¿Cómo garantizan la seguridad y confidencialidad de los documentos?

Hay un acceso protegido por contraseña y páginas seguras encriptadas que garantizan la confidencialidad. Ensoftware de conformidad - almacenamiento seguro también hay un equipo informático dedicado a garantizar la seguridad del software y sólo los empleados de la API están autorizados a realizar modificaciones en la plataforma.

Son muchas las ventajas de este software de cumplimiento de las normas TCF, una solución integral capaz de agilizar todas sus cuestiones de cumplimiento, creando eficacia operativa para su marca, una mayor visibilidad de su proveedor y su rendimiento, así como la posibilidad de mitigar cualquier riesgo innecesario. 

Una entrevista informativa que ha sabido definir claramente las ventajas de esta solución ¿Tiene alguna idea o pregunta al respecto? Póngase en contacto con nosotros


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[VIDEO] What is a Technical Compliance File (TCF)

Compliance and regulation has changed so much over the years with far more stricter regulations required for retail products today than ever before.The changing landscape has meant the very nature of compliance has become rather complex and difficult to achieve without adequate knowledge and expertise.

Compliance solution documentsMany of the compliance complexities that arise are in the collection and gathering of all the necessary documentation. Many manufacturers, importers and retailers today are still operating on outdated systems like spreadsheets, creating unreliable data and documentation, which creates an almost insurmountable task trying to maintain the information for each product reference.  

Often times professionals find themselves in a position of begging and pleading for documentation with nowhere to turn but to wait on the slow turning wheels of doing everything manually. Data, technology and cloud-based systems and solutions are where supply chains are headed.

Today’s consumers dictate the level of safety and performance they need to make a purchase of your product; this can either be seen as a challenge for your supply chain or as a golden opportunity.

What if there was an all inclusive compliance software that could streamline all your supplier and compliance operations in one place… accurately and reliably?

In this post, we seek to uncover the Technical Compliance File (TCF) solution – A compliance solution that will help relieve many of the compliance pressures that your supply chain currently faces.

What is a TCF?

Why a TCF?

At this point you may be wondering about the exact operating of this system, and what kind of benefits a compliance solution like this can have for your current operating systems. So let me tell you;

There are a number of reasons why retailers are in preference for this solution;

  • Technical expertise – There are dedicated teams to review what exact documents are required for the products and that the documents received are exactly what you are in need of, including all follow up with any supplier or factory that may be delaying you. These experts are also able to give technical advice where necessary, ensuring you don’t find yourself in a sticky supplier situation that can easily be avoided.
  • Online 24/7 access – The TCF solution has a 24/7 online dashboard with real-time updates allowingTCF compliance software you insight into your compliance status whenever you need it. There are also progress charts allowing you actionable insight into timelines and your supplier progress. This solution is also able to store all your documents for up to 10 years, ensuring your documents are safely stored for any future reference.  
  • Transparency – A solution like this can provide you with a real look into your supplier and/or manufacturer’s status in the workplace. It provides invaluable insights into the kind of supplier you have chosen to work with as you can track their compliance and regulatory progress online. 
  • Visibility – This allows you insight into what tests are being done and achieved in the lab, placing you in a better position of understanding the level of compliance your products are achieving.
  • Additional custom services – In having the expertise to analyze and determine the exact compliance and regulatory documents you are in need of, there are other custom services that can be offered if you find yourself short of an audit or specific product test that you need done to form a part of your TCF.
  • Separate supplier reporting – You are able to access reports on your organizational progress, but also your supplier’s progress. Your supplier is given access to a separate dashboard, so your information remains confidential.
  • Cost reduction – Streamlining the incredibly complex compliance process into one solution will be cost effective for your brand. Let me break this down for you; As mentioned earlier, a TCF is required as part of regulation, you already know what the process is in collecting documents from your factory, and all the follow-up communication that is required to get your documents. It’s often difficult and complex with little or slow results.

Regarding product compliance, let’s say for a furniture retailer, each item may need up to 30 documents (without counting all the submitted and rejected docs, which can be even more) to demonstrate compliance just for that product. As a retailer, you likely have more than 1 item that needs to achieve compliance, and with every document that is needed, each could take up to 30 minutes to evaluate properly, which equates to about 15 hours for just one product! If you have a whole range of products, you can begin to see how costly this whole process can become.

Risk Mitigation – The insight that this solution can provide into the most vulnerable areas of your supply chain can be invaluable information. The information that you will have access to should alert you to potential risks early on, allowing you the time to mitigate those potential risks. 

Enhancing your current quality management systems to include a web-based solution like this can set your brand at a benchmark above the rest.Compliance software web-based solution

As supply chains are increasingly becoming more digitally adaptive with cloud-based operating systems, it will be necessary for you to analyze your current solutions to be more adaptive to the current supply chain climate.

A comprehensive solution like this can create an operational efficiency for your supply chain that may have never even crossed your path. The benefits and increased visibility into your supply chain will be invaluable to optimizing your current quality systems.

In a better place of understanding this web-based solution, do you have thoughts or questions regarding the TCF? Leave your questions in the comments section; I would love to engage with you on this.

GET STARTED WITH YOUR VERY OWN COMPLIANCE PROGRAM TODAY!
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Quality Vs Compliance – The Case For Supply Chain Synergy

The age old debate of quality vs compliance or compliance over quality is something that we still wrestle with today. By defining what these concepts mean, we can start to paint a picture of why one may take precedence over the other in your eyes: Quality – This specifically refers to the ability of a product or service to consistently meet and exceed customer expectation from its design to its functionality. Compliance – This specifically refers to whether or not your product meets specific product compliance regulations so as to be responsibly bought or consumed by a customer. Now, depending on your brand’s positioning and goals, you will likely be placing value on one over the other, putting your brand at unnecessarily high risks that can result in avoidable costs for you. “Does it really have to be one over the other?”  When quality and compliance are able to strike a harmonious balance within your supply chain, you create operational efficiencies that are able to create opportunities for growth in the marketplace, something your brand can benefit from by setting you at a bench mark above the rest In this blog post, we seek to uncover the importance of both quality and compliance and the benefits they have to manufacturers, suppliers and retailers all over the world, ultimately taking a closer look at what the perfect union of these two concepts can mean for you.

The case for quality

When one speaks of the quality of a product from a manufacturing perspective, it refers to the external review of a product. It seeks to satisfy consumers through its quality with regards to design, functionality, durability and aesthetic appeal. Quality vs compliance - aesthetic furnitureThe quality of a product can be defined in many ways and is almost always dependent on your specific consumer and their definition of quality for your specific item. So in that light, you will need to know exactly what your consumer is looking for to create the quality your brand is looking to achieve. When a consumer sets out to look for a quality product, they want to feel as though they have paid less than what the actual product is worth, the quality of the product far surpassing the amount they ended up paying. Fulfilling the need to exceed the consumer’s expectations, this is what true quality is all about. If fulfilling the need to meet your consumer’s expectations is at the top of your company’s agenda, is it not essential for your brand’s products to meet a level of quality that does just that? Let me leave you pondering that for a bit. In attempting to understand your customer’s definition of quality, it will be important to note that fulfilling consumer expectation and experience forms a part of that definition. Let me give you an example; If a consumer orders a product that has met and passed all quality tests it needed to meet, that product for all intents and purposes is a quality item. But, if the order arrives later than promised or arrives with a missing screw or the incorrect color, the consumer may not define this product as an item of value and quality. Striving for product quality is a stems right from the raw materials used, to the way in which it arrives to your customer, therefore every step needs to be taken into consideration.

The case for compliance

When a brand takes on compliance, it seeks to meet the minimum regulatory requirements specific to a product or item sold to a retailer. This may mean that although the product is not of the highest quality, it at least meets the minimum mandatory regulation requirements specific to it. Depending on your product’s destination market, it will likely need to comply with one or more of the following; * Product safety regulations * Substance regulations * Document requirements * Labeling requirements * Testing requirements You do not have to comply with all of these; as it will depend very much on your product and the market that it needs to enter. The importance of compliance is highlighted none the better than with the recent global Quality vs Compliance - Fidget Spinnerscraze of fidget spinners and, where 200, 000 of these spinners have been recalled due to it massive non-compliance failures. Many of these items that are being imported have been found to be non-compliant with the regulatory requirements specific to its markets. This is becoming a big problem as they have also proven to be a danger to children as the small parts they are made out of can and are causing serious harm. Where the confusion sets in, is that a product is capable of being compliant, but also not be the best quality product. The opposite is also true; you can have a quality item that does not meet all the regulatory requirements either. An issue like this can often arise within your supply chain whether it be in the design process, or even within the manufacturing process. This can create a high level of risk for your brand, and could land you in a position you do not want to be in.

The case for supply chain synergy

So as the debate goes, we seek to uncover the myth that quality supersedes compliance and vice versa. They need to work together, hand-in-hand, where they can create true value for your brand through optimized quality procedures from your factory to the consumers. Striving for compliance means to create operational efficiency for your supply chain. This means continuous improvements for your brand and its systems. These improvements can take the form of a compliance program which will begin to address the quality procedures (operationally and product quality) of your entire supply chain. The improvement of these systems will mean that you reduce your exposure to risk and also create a more visible and transparent supply chain, which consumers today base their buying decisions on. Always keep this in mind. A compliance program will also extend into the manner in which you select your supplier and evaluate the factory that your product will ultimately be made in. Ensuring that your supply chain is compliant will mean that you are essentially creating quality operating systems. Quality operating systems will mean that the product you produce is being made in the most optimal environment. A well-functioning environment where quality and compliance is a part of every operating system will flow into the very essence of your product, making consumers want to purchase your product at a price that they feel is undervalued for an item of such great quality Today’s consumer is empowered with access and knowledge into your product and your supply chain;Quality vs Compliance they want to know where its raw materials were sourced, how it was made, who made it and what its level of quality is. They ask themselves whether or not your product will be an investment in their lives. The key here will be to know your target market, know your consumer. If you do not know what they want, you will struggle to be their go-to brand; you will lose out on their brand evangelism and praise affecting your bottom line “Is this the type of brand and product you wish to create?” Retailers today are under so much pressure with the current supply and demand of products, that quality and/or compliance is not always a priority. “But, it should be!” Bad quality and non-compliance both mean that your brand is at an unnecessarily high risk with regards to meeting regulations and your reputation. It will be worth all the hard yards that you put in from the creation and design to the manufacturing and distribution of your products. This will help mitigate unnecessary risk, saving you money and precious time.

Conclusion

These two concepts can be integrated into your supply chain through a Quality Management System – “SGC is a set of policies, processes and procedures required for planning and execution of a product or service.” This should help you create a structured system for continuous improvements that can be made to all areas of your supply chain and its operations. Today’s empowered consumers show us just how important both quality and compliance are for your products and brand. It will be important to make these a priority in order to maintain that globally competitive advantage. If you are interested in learning how to build a compliance program that also addresses product compliance within your supply chain take a look at the eBook we wrote on how to go about doing just that.

Get started with your very own compliance program today!

Click here to begin

Categorías
Blogs

8 pasos para limitar el riesgo en tus procedimientos de pruebas de juguetes

Production competitiveness has become so high in countries like China that suppliers often find ways to cut corners in order to save costs, often putting the quality and safety of your toys, and their extremely vulnerable user base, in jeopardy. When it comes to upholding product safety and compliance, no other consumer goods product is more highly regulated than toys. However, despite stringent requirements and mandatory safety toy testing around the world, unsafe children’s products continue to reach the market today.

As recent as 2017, many importers of the popular ‘fidget spinners’ were found to be selling products in the US that contained alarmingly high levels of mercury and lead leading to mass product recalls and damaged brand reputations.

Non-compliance in the toy industry present a myriad of dangers for brands that can lead to heavy financial losses, unnecessary recalls, and a damaged reputation. It’s reasons like these that quality managers constantly live in fear of quality issues with toys, but it doesn’t have to be this way with strict compliance regulations and proper toy testing procedures.

Improving Your Existing Toy Quality Assurance Processes

Toy quality assurance and toy testing As a quality manager who is responsible for producing toys you know that where quality is concerned the stakes are sky-high. You need to know that toys adhere to the demands of every test they might face when being exported globally to markets with different demands. At API, our quality inspectors and laboratories follow a comprehensive set of 8 toy quality testing steps (built through decades of experience) that helps quality managers effectively manage quality right from the outset. This article will take a brief look at the global toy testing standards themselves, and the step by step procedures API follows to help minimise the risk of quality issues sneaking through and danger of recalls happening, as well as protecting your supply chain and ensuring customer safety and satisfaction.

API’s 8 Step Toy Quality Assurance Process

Click here to watch our comprehensive toy testing process video

1. Preventing Mechanical Risks In The Design Stage

Product Design Specification (PDS) serves as the guideline for understanding the various problems identified early on in the design stage. Possibilities need to be investigated and filtered through various criteria laid out in the PDS to be set forth as practical, viable solutions that require further evaluation.

Through comprehensive design evaluation and hazard assessments, API help you identify potentially dangerous design features and mechanical risks from the outset, helping you save on costly redesign and engineering resources related to product modification, and more serious quality and safety issues later down the line. Furthermore, the evaluation also helps to identify all of the necessary tests that you would need to submit your product to.

2. Preventing Toxic Risks With Raw Materials Testing

Raw material toy testing to ensure toy quality Raw material quality control is paramount in helping to prevent product failure and ensuring a consistent level of quality that you and your customers expect. Making sure that players in your supply chain are continuously subjected to testing of raw materials being used in your toy production, or when they decide to switch suppliers, verifies that the materials are at the level of quality you’re paying for and that no toxic elements such as lead and cadmium finding their way into your finished product. Complying with chemical restrictions in raw materials laid out by the EU and US chemical content regulations such as REACH, EN71 and CPSIA starts with chemical testing. API’s laboratories help to identify toxic elements that can aid you in defining a list of approved materials to be used in the toy production process early on, ensuring your products comply with the limits set for safe use now and into the future.

3. Evaluating Toy Safety Before Mass-Production Through Prototype Testing

The practical solutions and tests identified in the design evaluation stage are embodied in the form of a prototype. The aesthetics, functionality, mechanical aspects, as well as the potential manufacturing issues are all considered, and these aspects need to be thoroughly tested. API’s technical experts are part of technical committees that discuss and write standards for toys, and can ensure you are up to date on the latest developments and discussions on regulation before new regulations are officially published. API’s Hong Kong Laboratory is accredited by HOKLAS to perform laboratory testing for the European, American and Australasian markets. The three main areas of testing are:

1) ‘Mechanical and Physical Properties’

  • Drop Test
  • Compression Test
  • Torque Test
  • Tension Test
  • Flexure Test
  • Bite Test

2) ‘Flammability’

  • Conducted on  toys to examine their flammability characteristics

3) ‘Restricted Substances – Chemical Testing’

  • Lead content test
  • Cadmium content test
  • Phthalate content test
  • Other applicable chemical tests

Prototype testing helps to identify the shortcomings of initial toy design and how they will hold up in real use case scenarios.

Toy testing at a factory

Evaluate your Factory

Perform a quality management audit with specific points related to toys, such as ensuring that sharp tool equipment and a broken needle policy has been used and properly calibrated. It is also important to ensure that your factory has also established traceability system for identification and tracking materials through production. Through this testing process, API helps you to further refine the product design and remove any obstacles that may detract from the original concept by making it safer for use, and ultimately, preventing the need for costly recalls well before the products hit the production line. On top of this testing process, API are also entitled to issue certificates of conformity as a ‘Notified Body’.

4. Ensuring Compliance Through All Inclusive Compliance Software

Whether your brand is directly or indirectly affected by Directive 2009/48/EC, it is of vital importance to ensure the collection and gathering of all the necessary technical documentation needed from your manufacturer to demonstrate the conformity of the product to the applicable requirements of the TSD.

It is up to your product manufacturer to draw up this technical documentation, or request it from relevant parties, and keep it and the EC declaration of conformity for a period of 10 years after the toy has been placed on the market. It is up to you as the importer to ensure that the manufacturer fulfills this duty, that the toy bears the required conformity marking, and is accompanied by the required technical documents. These documents must be made available to national surveillance authorities upon request for the same period of time to demonstrate conformity of the toy. Technical documentation to be drawn up and collected must be presented in one of the official languages in the EU and shall include: 1. Description of the design and manufacture 2. List of components and materials 3. Safety data sheets 4. Safety assessments 5. Conformity assessment procedure 6. EC declaration of conformity 7. Addresses of manufacture and storage 8. Documents submitted to a Notified Body 9. Test reports 10. Conformity of series production details 11. EC-type examination details 12. Conformity of series production details Today, many manufacturers, importers and retailers are still operating on outdated systems like collecting multiple spreadsheets and files, leading to unreliable data and outdated documentation, which creates an almost insurmountable task of trying to accurately trace and maintain the information for each product reference. API’s Technical Compliance File (TCF) solution is a one process procedure that consists of 5 steps to ensure total product compliance: 1. Expert intervention to define the scope of compliance 2. Document collection 3. Document review 4. TCF report issuance 5. Record keeping and database integration (all available online 24/7)
A solution like this promises increased visibility and transparency into your supply chain that will prove invaluable to optimizing your current quality systems, allowing you the time to mitigate any potential quality risks as and when they become apparent.

5. Monitoring Production Consistency With DUPRO/Inline Inspection

The production line is inspected when at least 25% of the order has been completed. The DUPRO verifies that initial discrepancies found out during an Initial Production Check (IPC) have been rectified.

Each stage of the assembly process will be analysed and samples of the goods in progress will be collected and checked. This means that any impending problem can be identified on-site and addressed at the very stage where it is occurring. By checking unfinished products during production and assessing if AQL standards are being met, API assures that corrective actions can be taken in order to assure the quality of your toys moving forward.

6. Checking and Classifying Non-Conformities Right Before Shipping

API conduct both Final Random Inspections and Loading Check inspections to ensure your products conform and that they are being shipped in a safe and secure manner.

Inspección aleatoria final

A FRI (Final Random Inspection) is basically an acceptance sampling inspection performed prior to shipment. The Sampling is derived from the inspection level requested in accordance with MIL-STD-105E (ISO2859-1). API is also certified HKIAS which endorses third-party inspection based on an in-house procedure. The sampled goods are then checked piece by piece and the non-conformities found, if any, will be classified into three categories (critical, major and minor). The selection of an AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) per type of non-conformities will determine the acceptance or rejection of the goods.

Sample Collection For Lab Testing

Products randomly picked from mass production for pre-shipment testing which can occur in DuPro or FRI. The test checks the alignment of product quality from mass production and pre-production.

Pre-shipment Testing

The aim of pre-shipment testing is to verify the consistency of the production quality with a focus on critical aspects of the toys, without having to perform the full test again. API provides tailor-made testing solutions based on client requirements to ensure quality is maintained at this stage of the process. Loading check inspections to ensure toy quality

Loading Check Inspections

The loading check serves as a way to control container quantity and to adequately manage stuffing arrangement. API performs inspections of packed goods as they are being loaded into the shipping container to ensure the correct products are loaded, in a secure and safe manner.

7. Taking Quality Assurance Full Cycle With Reorders and Random Sampling

Sample collection for testing during the reorder process is a concept of a highly effective continuous quality improvement monitoring program, helping you determine the frequency of testing per supplier performance. This policy sends a clear message to suppliers that you’re watching their product quality closely, and that any unauthorized product/material change is strictly prohibited, and at the same time encourages them to improve.

8. Business Intelligence Tools

In order to the determine the frequency of sampling per factory, you’ll need a comprehensive vendor scorecard. API have developed its own platform for you that records quality data of each factory’s test and defect levels during inspection.

It also provides you with a comprehensive data analysis on factory performance across your own suppliers and across others in our database that you may not currently be working with. The database record does not simply include just the pass or failure of the product test/ inspection, but also a record and classification of each defect. Through this database we’re able to point out top defects recorded per factory and compare your own suppliers against others in the industry.
Categorías
Noticias

REACH - Ampliación de los requisitos sobre ftalatos (Entrada 51)

As per the European Union additions published in December 2018, the scope of Entry 51 of Annex XVII to REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 has some changes starting on 7th July 2020. The changes include an increase in the number of restricted phthalates from three to four, and an extension of the scope of restrictions as per below:

 

Restricted Substances

Scope of Restriction

Current Entry 51

DEHP, DBP and BBP:
≤ 0.1% by weight of the plasticized material (individually or in combination)

Plasticized materials in toys and childcare articles

Revised Entry 51 as of 7th July 2020

DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP: <0.1% by weight of plasticized material (individually or in combination)

All articles containing plasticized materials*

What are plasticized materials?

  • Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyvinyl acetate (PVA), polyurethanes
  • Any other polymer except silicone rubber and natural latex coatings
  • Surface coatings, non-slip coatings, finishes, decals, printed designs
  • Adhesives, sealants, paints, and inks

DIBP was frequently used as a replacement for DBP for lots of plasticized materials. With the new restrictions in place, manufacturers will need to look for alternative options to comply with the normative.

What are the main product types affected by the extension?

With the extension of phthalates requirements (entry 51), all articles containing plasticized materials* will be affected.

These can include:

  • Indoor and outdoor furniture
  • Decoration articles
  • DIY items
  • Office supplies and equipment
  • Bathroom supplies and equipment
  • Accessories, gifts and premium items
  • And more.

*Exemptions

(As included in Annex XVII to REACH – Conditions of Restriction)

(a) articles exclusively for industrial or agricultural use, or for use exclusively in the open

air, provided that no plasticised material comes into contact with human mucous

membranes or into prolonged contact with human skin;

(b) aircraft, placed on the market before 7 January 2024, or articles, whenever placed on

the market, for use exclusively in the maintenance or repair of those aircraft, where those

articles are essential for the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft;

(c) motor vehicles within the scope of Directive 2007/46/EC, placed on the market before 7

January 2024, or articles, whenever placed on the market, for use exclusively in the

maintenance or repair of those vehicles, where the vehicles cannot function as intended

without those articles;

(d) articles placed on the market before 7 July 2020;

(e) measuring devices for laboratory use, or parts thereof;

(f) materials and articles intended to come into contact with food within the scope of

Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 or Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/20111;

(g) medical devices within the scope of Directives 90/385/EEC, 93/42/EEC or 98/79/EC, or

parts thereof;

(h) electrical and electronic equipment within the scope of Directive 2011/65/EU;

(i) the immediate packaging of medicinal products within the scope of Regulation (EC) No

726/2004, Directive 2001/82/EC or Directive 2001/83/EC;

(j) toys and childcare articles covered by paragraphs 1 or 2.

Do you have any questions about how this extension will impact your products?

With the new restrictions in place, brands, retailers and manufacturers must ensure that the products placed in the market do not contain any of the restricted substances. At API, we can provide technical advice and adapted chemical product testing for your affected product categories to ensure your products comply with the new REACH requirements. Our combined expertise in chemistry x manufacturing x household goods and toys allows our experts to provide tailor-made solutions suited to your needs.