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What are the differences in the types of inspections offered?
How do inspections reduce costs?
How does sampling work during an inspection?
What is an AQL, and why is it such an important consideration?
If there is a HSC inspection, is the factory relieved from its obligation?
What happens if we still find the quality problems despite an inspection?
How fast can we get a result?
What is an audit, and what does it generally include?
 
> What are the differences in the types of inspections offered?
There are basically four types of inspections: Pre-Production, In-Production, Pre-Shipment and Loading Supervision. Pre-production inspection takes place at the beginning of the manufacturing to review the supplier readniess status and whether the quality of components and materials used in the production process. An in-production inspection takes place on the assembly line, or during the manufacturing process and determines whether the appropriate tests and checks are taking place and whether the quality checks are consistent with the customer’s requirements. A pre-shipment inspection is a final random sampling of finished product to check that conformance is acceptable prior to shipment,based on the outcome of pre-shipment inspection,a lot can be accepted, rejected,or placed on hold. The loading supervision is to make sure the correct products and quantity loaded into containers.
> How do inspections reduce costs?
First article inspections immediately identify conformance issues with new product as it is initially produced. In-process inspections identify problems as they develop on the production line and save time in making corrections and reduce costs of reworking completed product. Pre-shipment inspections identify non-conformances prior to shipment, reducing the risks to the buyer of receiving defective product along with the associated delays in receiving replacement product
> How does sampling work during an inspection?
HSC recommends ANSI Z1.4 2003 sampling plans to determine the number of units that will be randomly selected for evaluation. Based on the lot or batch size, code letters are assigned that cross-reference to the sample size required depending on which plan is being employed. Single and double normal sampling plans are the most commonly used.
If you do not have existing sampling requirements, HSC will assist you in determining which plan works best for your specific needs.
Samples are checked against a detailed inspection plan for appearance, applicable functionality, packaging integrity, workmanship, etc. If you currently do not have an inspection plan, HSC can assist you.
Defects noted are classified as major, minor, or critical depending on inspection plans. The acceptable quality level (AQL) is determined by totaling the defects and using the corresponding accept/reject criteria within the sampling plan.
> What is an AQL, and why is it such an important consideration?
An AQL, or Acceptable Quality Limit, is a probability limit chosen for a given product or process characteristic. There are normally
three limits chosen, one for critical, major and minor. Usually, each of these three limits is different for each category. A typical
sampling plan would be as follows:
The lower the number, the fewer defects can be accepted in the sample of product. When choosing AQLs, it is important that
one understands the balance between setting them too low, and rejecting many shipments, and setting them too high and releasing unacceptable product.
> If there is a HSC inspection, is the factory relieved from its obligation?
No action or inspection by HSC relieves the manufacturer from the burden of delivering quality goods or compensating the client
for the delivery of poor products. Audits, inspections, loading checks or tests performed by HSC are simply a palette of quality
tools at the buyer's disposal to effect more control over the purchasing process and reduce the possibility of errors,
misunderstandings, negligence or even fraud. The objective is to create an atmosphere of control which sends a clear message
to all parties that correct quality must be produced and shipped. HSC is a facilitator, we are neither a trading company, nor an agent.
> What happens if we still find the quality problems despite an inspection?
HSC is simply a quality assurance company and as such it is our job to report and record what we see and assist our clients in
making decisions whether to ship product or not. As we are often not present during loading of containers and we only take a
statistical sampling of the total lot we cannot guarantee 100% that the same goods were shipped, nor that the total lot size will
meet the quality standards. We are simply there to reduce the possibility of future problems. Additionally there is a human factor
involved.
We try to get consistency by continuous training. Should it be proven that HSC staff did not notice or document defects, or safety
issues during the course of inspections we will refund the value of the inspection , in cases of proven extreme oversight up to
ten times this sum. Any concerns that you may have regarding the performance of HSC staff should be brought to our attention
immediately so we can start claim investigations which involve checking reference samples, shipment samples and all paperwork
relating to the inspection to verify where things went wrong. Then we update our procedures and training to prevent any
recurrence.
> How fast can we get a result?
HSC guarantees typed reports to be e-mailed by 18:00 o'clock the Day after the Inspection unless there are unavoidable problems. Normally it is a good practice to ensure the factory finishes production 2 days before loading a container for shipment. Due to poor planning or lack of space, factories may experience difficulties. Often containers arrive the moment the goods are ready. This does not leave much time for inspections or problem solving. Buyers should stipulate a two-day gap in their purchase terms because this allows a Report to be presented to the buyer and shipping decisions to be made without undue time pressure.
In the event that the factory is poorly managed and the result must be available as soon as possible, BN offers a Quick Result Form which is the inspector's handwritten draft faxed from the factory and briefly reviewed by the HSC’s Customer Service Executive before forwarding to the client within 2 hours of the inspection being completed.
> What is an audit, and what does it generally include?
Audits identify problems or shortcomings in the management system that could allow poor quality product to be produced and
brings it to the attention of management so they can correct the problem. Audits are often preventive actions in that they identify
problems before they have produced poor quality product. This is why audits are often used as part of the basis for selecting
suppliers.
 
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