Incoming quality control, also known as IQC, focuses on the evaluation of incoming materials regarding quality. Incoming quality inspection uses active control techniques rather than passive inspection to carry out pre-emptive quality control. This type of system aims to identify problems with raw materials’ quality in the beginning stage to cut down on quality costs, establish effective control, and help suppliers improve their internal quality control level.

Before identical raw materials or accessories of items are integrated into the product, IQC executes the scrutiny of samples of incoming materials to have arbitrary checks on their appearances, sizes, functions, packing, and more. Incoming quality inspection determines whether incoming consignment is suitable for acceptance. Also, to find out if there is a need for rework, fresh re-inspections, or exchanges/rejections of similar materials.

Before identical accessories are used in products, IQC tries to control and limit incoming material issues as much as possible. When materials are added to products on assembly lines, then quality control through incoming material analysis can improve defect-free rates.

Thus, in regulatory industries, the product’s quality is crucial. Incoming quality inspection assists in monitoring the performance of suppliers and covering them, particularly high-risk suppliers. All raw materials or components entering a factory should be confirmed to match the expected quality of the incoming product.

Process to Conduct Incoming Quality Control By Manufacturers

Keeping all raw materials separate.

Your manufacturer will order a shipment of raw materials and receive it frequently. Regardless of whether it is PET plastic or 304 stainless steel, all material should be set aside in a designated receiving area. it shouldn’t leave the receiving area until it has been put to the test.

Test raw materials through receiving inspection.

To make sure the material complies with the criteria, the manufacturer should inspect it in the receiving area. For material testing, certain manufacturers employ specialised machinery. These tools are made to identify certain ingredients present in the raw material.

Reject any materials that don’t adhere to the specifications.

During the incoming quality inspection, if the material entered does not adhere to the factory’s specifications and quality standards, it should be discarded immediately. The inspector should put it away and store it after the inspection process is finished. However, the company has the option of returning it to the material source and discussing the quality issues they created during the entry inspection.

Transfer accepted material to production storage.

Factory employees can take a batch of material out of the entry area if it has passed the incoming quality inspection and fulfils the required standards. It should also be placed in the pre-production storage area so that it can later be moved to the production area.

Importance of Incoming Quality Control

Many manufacturers bargain prices with suppliers. They influence vendors to provide materials at a lower price. Thus, suppliers lower the quality of products by using cheap materials. Working with new suppliers does not always present importers with quality issues. Suppliers do not indiscriminately lower the quality of the goods.

Quality problems might occur unintentionally. They can fall short of your specifications. You’ll therefore acknowledge low-quality elements. You won’t be able to detect any changes in quality because of this. Only by adhering to the incoming quality control rules will you be able to detect a quality decline.

If you decide to rely on your supplier to conduct an incoming quality inspection, ensure to acquire photos of raw materials, testing as well as delivery records. Without a reliable agent verifying them, it is difficult to rely on them. This is where you can seek the help of a sourcing agent who will help in verifying everything happening in the facility.

This type of evaluation of your supplier helps in identifying whether they have implemented reliable incoming inspection procedures to control material and component quality.