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During-Production Inspection: What Every Manufacturer Should Know

by Joan Newsome

During Production Inspection (abbreviated DPI or DUPRO) is the second step in a factory-based inspection. DPI occurs after goods have been produced, and it is typically the first indicator of problems. The During Production Inspection can detect and subsequently prevent production and shipping delays.

While a DPI is similar to pre-production and post-production inspections, there are some distinct differences. DUPRO inspections are necessary to protect the manufacturer by ensuring prompt order fulfillment with products that meet the buyer’s specifications.

Read on to find out what happens during an inspection, the benefits of sourcing DPI in China, and the advantages of having a third-party processor handle your inspections.

What Happens During a DUPRO Inspection?

During a DPI, inspectors will want to see the products that have already passed your internal quality control, so they are only looking at products that have been finished and packed. It is best to have this inspection when 20% to 40% of the order has been produced. Examination at this stage avoids quality issues at the beginning of production and delays toward the end, especially if problems are found, and the manufacturer needs a corrective action plan.

Inspectors will sample your completed goods based on the internationally-accepted standard ANSI/ASQC Z1.4 (ISO2859-1). Some of the things they will do are as follows:

  • Perform a Quality Control assessment of the selected goods that adheres to AQL sampling protocols
  • Check the packaging and labels
  • Verify the number of finished products
  • Examine the production situation and the client’s requirements for the shipment
  • Verify that the rest of the shipment is traceable through the production process
  • Test the completed goods for safety, durability, performance, and function.

Why Source DPI in China?

Importers take a risk when ordering products from China. Issues such as cultural differences and language barriers can make dealing with manufacturers challenging. That is why you should outsource your DPI to Chinese companies. They can be a successful intermediary between the importer and the manufacturer, and since they are native to China, they will be more attuned to the cultural differences.

Especially now, with so many travel and trade restrictions, it is important to have connections in China to ensure your orders are completed and shipped correctly. Working with a third-party processor will give you an added sense of security that your orders will not fall victim to factory delays and production errors. Manufacturing in China is known for its streamlined processes and solid quality control. Just because Chinese factories can produce goods at cheaper rates than domestic factories doesn’t mean the products are inferior. On-the-ground DPI performed by a reputable Chinese processor will provide you with cost-effective, high-quality items delivered without delays or production problems.

Benefits of a Third-Party DUPRO Inspection

Most manufacturers rely on third-party processors to handle all of their inspection needs. Third-party DUPRO inspectors have several benefits that may not be readily apparent, such as complete transparency during the examination and results. Since a Third-Party Inspection service is not related to the manufacturer, it can be completely impartial and serve only to verify the process and identity defects.

Third-Party Inspectors also have the advantage of being entirely up-to-date with current local, regional and national regulations. Since regulations vary by country and region, and they change frequently. Manufacturers can have trouble keeping up with these national and regional differences in requirements. However, third-party processors make it their business to stay up-to-date. Their only obligation is to make sure your product meets the highest standards, goes out on time, and arrives before the deadline.

In Conclusion

It may seem like your factory is continuously bombarded with inspectors, between the pre-production, and during production inspections. But those inspections are necessary to make sure your process and product are high quality. If they aren’t picked up early on, problems during manufacturing and with quality control only end up costing you time and money.

It’s far easier to manage a defective product or manufacturing problem when less than half of an order has been completed. You still have a chance to fix it and make your deadline, rather than getting to the end of the process and finding you have an undeliverable product.

Third-party processors can handle all of your inspection needs with ease. They specialize in import and export regulations, and can ensure your products are packaged and ready to ship on time.