01What the service involves
Factory inspection checks a specific order at the manufacturer. QUALITAS TR offers the production stage inspections used across international sourcing, adapted to industrial products:
- Pre-production inspection (PPI) before or at the start of production: raw materials, components, approved samples, tooling, process set-up and understanding of your specification.
- During production inspection (DUPRO) once production is typically 20% to 60% complete: first finished units, in-process quality, defect trends and the realistic completion date.
- Final random inspection (FRI) when production is complete and mostly packed: AQL sampling of finished goods, function, packing and marking. See also pre-shipment inspection.
- Piece by piece inspection of 100% of units for critical or high value orders.
- Production monitoring: daily presence on the line for the duration of an order.
02Why buyers need it
A final inspection finds problems after the whole order is made. PPI and DUPRO find them while correction is still cheap and the delivery date can still be protected.
For new suppliers, the combination of PPI and FRI is the most effective way to learn how the factory works while protecting the first orders.
03Typical applications
- First orders with a new factory
- Seasonal or high volume orders
- Products with assembly or finishing steps
- Orders with tight delivery windows
- Repeat orders after a previous rejection
- Private label and OEM products
04Methodology
Inspection plan
Specification, approved sample, checklist and AQL levels agreed before the first visit.
PPI
Materials, components, tooling and the first set-up checked against the specification.
DUPRO
Random sample of finished units inspected; defects classified; production progress checked.
FRI
Statistical sampling of the completed order with dimensional, visual, functional and packing checks.
Report and follow-up
Same-day verdict and report; re-inspection after rework when needed.
05Applicable standards and references
Sampling follows ISO 2859-1 with AQLs agreed per defect class. Product requirements come from your specification, approved samples and the applicable product standards.
06Deliverables
- Inspection checklist agreed in advance
- Stage inspection reports with photos
- Defect classification and AQL result
- Production progress estimate (DUPRO)
- Final verdict: pass, fail or pending
07Customer benefits
- Problems caught before the order is complete
- Protected delivery dates
- Clear evidence for payment decisions
- Lower cost than reworking finished goods
- Learning curve on new factories
08How QUALITAS TR supports you
Use the AQL calculator to see sample sizes for your order, and combine stage inspections with loading supervision for full coverage.
Frequently asked questions
When should a DUPRO take place?
When enough finished units exist to sample meaningfully but enough of the order remains to correct problems, typically at 20% to 60% completion.
Is FRI the same as pre-shipment inspection?
In practice yes: both refer to random sampling inspection of a completed order before shipment.