that compound after shipment
Quality failures discovered after shipment are the most expensive type. Every defect unit that was produced and shipped had a quality control system that did not catch it.
Inspection conducted by the factory
A factory that inspects its own production has an incentive to approve the shipment. An independent inspection — conducted by a party whose compensation does not depend on the outcome — produces inspection results that reflect the actual quality of the production lot.
Pre-shipment inspection without defined acceptance criteria
An inspection with no documented acceptance criteria produces an inspector's opinion, not a pass/fail determination. The acceptance criteria — defect classifications, AQL sampling plan, and measurement specifications — must be defined before the inspection, not negotiated after the result.
Compliance testing omitted to save time or cost
CE marking, FCC compliance, CPSC requirements, and chemical compliance testing are not optional in the markets where they apply. A product sold without the required certifications is a regulatory violation. The cost of testing is small relative to the cost of a market recall or a listing removal.
across the production lifecycle.
Each stage catches a different category of defect at the lowest-cost point in the production cycle.
Incoming Material Inspection
Raw materials and purchased components inspected against specifications before they enter production. Defective inputs produce defective outputs — catching them before they are assembled is significantly less expensive than reworking or scrapping finished goods.
In-Process Inspection
Inspections conducted at defined production milestones — not at the end of the production run. In-line inspection catches process drift before it affects a large quantity of parts. The correction cost at this stage is one-tenth the correction cost at pre-shipment.
Pre-Shipment Inspection
AQL sampling inspection when production is 80-100% complete. Every defect category assessed against the defined acceptance criteria. Pass or fail determination made before the shipment is released. Failed shipments are held until the defects are corrected.
Regulatory Compliance Testing
Third-party laboratory testing coordinated for all applicable certifications: CE, FCC, CPSC, RoHS, REACH, and category-specific requirements. Test samples submitted from production-representative units. Test reports used for regulatory submission and marketplace listing compliance.
production begins.
Acceptance criteria are defined and agreed with the factory before production starts. The inspection measures against them — not against a standard developed after the fact.
Quality Plan Development
Defect classification (critical, major, minor), AQL sampling plan, measurement specifications, and visual acceptance standards defined for each product. Compliance testing requirements identified and laboratory testing scheduled in the production timeline.
Production Inspection Execution
Incoming, in-line, and pre-shipment inspections conducted against the quality plan. Inspection reports document findings with photographs, measurements, and defect counts against AQL thresholds. Pass or fail determination made against the acceptance criteria.
Corrective Action Management
Failed inspections generate corrective action requests to the factory with required root cause analysis and resolution timeline. Re-inspection conducted after corrective action is completed. No shipment approved until the re-inspection passes.
not after delivery.
Every inspection is documented with findings, photographs, and a pass/fail determination. The documentation is the quality record.
Defect classification, AQL sampling plan, and measurement specifications.
Material and component inspection results before production begins.
Production milestone inspection results with defect counts.
AQL sampling results with pass/fail determination before shipment release.
Third-party laboratory test reports for all applicable certifications.
Quality inspections conducted by CNBSolutions quality team in Zhuhai.
Product Development includes additional services that compound on this one.
Catch the defect
before it ships
We work through referrals. If you have been referred, send us a message and we will review your current inspection process and identify where the coverage gaps are.