Order controls
Quality Control by Product & Order
Inspection scope, checkpoints, sampling and acceptance criteria are agreed for the product and recorded in the order.
Yes, MSQ SAFE operates quality control by product and order: an inspection plan is agreed before production, covering sample approval, incoming materials, in-process checks, final inspection and packing verification, and the acceptance criteria are recorded in the order. Sampling levels such as AQL are confirmed per order rather than stated as fixed values.
An Inspection Plan Written for Your Order
Quality control at MSQ SAFE starts with the order-specific inspection plan, agreed before production and recorded in the order and inspection documents. The plan states the checkpoints, what is verified at each, how samples are taken, and which criteria decide pass or fail. Because products differ, the plan differs: footwear inspections check lasting, soles and toe caps, while glove and garment checks focus on seams, materials and finish. The plan is built from the selected SKU’s specification, starting from the product catalogue and its model-level documents.
Third-party inspection by the buyer’s inspector or an independent agency can be written into the plan where agreed, with access arranged at the same time.
Sample Approval as a QC Gate
Sample approval is the first formal control point. Before bulk production is released, the approved sample and specification are the reference for every later check, recorded with the sample reference and date. The same gate applies in our private label program, where the sample carries your brand and packaging.
Incoming Material Inspection
Incoming inspection verifies the materials a batch will use: leather, textiles, soles, hardware and packaging components. Scope depends on the SKU and supplier; some materials carry supplier test evidence, others are checked in-house. Non-conforming materials are quarantined and resolved through corrective action before production.
In-Process Checks
In-line checks monitor critical operations: lasting and sole bonding for footwear, seams and coating for gloves, shell and strap integrity for head protection. Frequency and the characteristics checked are defined in the plan. Records are kept per batch, so defects can be traced back to the source.
Final Inspection and Packing Verification
Final inspection samples the finished batch against the approved sample and specification, covering workmanship, sizes, function and appearance. Where sampling by attributes applies, sample size and acceptance criteria are confirmed in the plan for that order; we publish no single AQL for every product, because acceptable levels depend on product, buyer and market. Packing and labelling are verified here too: quantities, carton marking, labels and conformity markings must match the agreed specification before dispatch.
Pre-shipment inspection, by our team or an independent agency per the agreed terms, is the final checkpoint before goods leave. Results and corrective actions are documented and shared with the buyer.
Acceptance Criteria: Confirmed, Not Assumed
Acceptance criteria are part of the commercial agreement. The plan records which defects are critical, major or minor, how sampling is performed, and what happens on failure, such as sorting or rework. AQL levels, where used, are confirmed per order in the quotation. If you have a corporate standard, we assess the plan against it before production.
What Is Confirmed, and Where
| Item | Where it is confirmed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection checkpoints | Inspection plan in the order | Built from the SKU specification |
| Sample approval | Recorded with sample reference and date | Gate before bulk production |
| Incoming material checks | Inspection plan | Scope depends on SKU and supplier |
| In-process and final checks | Inspection plan | Frequency defined per operation |
| Sampling and AQL | Quotation and plan per order | Not a fixed published value |
| Third-party inspection | Order agreement | Access and cost confirmed in advance |
Buyer Checklist
- Ask for the inspection plan before production starts, in writing.
- Confirm which checkpoints apply to your product and market.
- Approve the sample and keep the reference for final comparison.
- State your corporate sampling or AQL requirements in the quotation.
- Decide whether third-party inspection is required and when.
- Agree what happens if inspection fails: sorting, rework or rejection.
The QC Workflow
- Specification and inspection plan agreed in the quotation.
- Sample developed and approved against the specification.
- Incoming materials inspected before production.
- In-process checks at defined operations with batch records.
- Final random inspection with packing and labelling verification.
- Pre-shipment inspection where agreed; result documented for the buyer.
For how testing and reports fit into this workflow, see our testing page. For background on the production network, review the supply network page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you inspect every single piece?
No. Inspection is normally sampling based, with sample size and criteria confirmed per order. Where a buyer requires 100% checking of specific characteristics, it is agreed and costed separately.
What AQL level do you use?
AQL is confirmed per order, not published as a fixed value. State your requirement in the request, and it is written into the quotation and inspection plan for that order.
Can your factory be audited or inspected by a third party?
Yes. Third-party or buyer inspection access is agreed per order, with timing confirmed before production starts.
What happens when a batch fails inspection?
The plan defines the response, typically sorting or rework at an agreed cost and timeline, followed by re-inspection. The result and corrective action are documented for the buyer.
Do you keep records I can trace per batch?
Yes. Batch records cover incoming materials, in-process checks and final inspection, referenced against the order and approved sample.
Can I attend the final inspection?
Yes, where agreed in the order. Buyer attendance at final or pre-shipment inspection is arranged in the inspection plan.
Related Resources
- Testing and Test Reports — how test scope and reports are confirmed per SKU.
- Private Label PPE Program — QC gates applied to your own brand.
- PPE Distributor Program — inspection plans for distributor stock.
- Standards and Directives — what conformity markings mean for inspection.
- Anti Vibration Gloves — an example of model-level QC details.
- Request a quote with your inspection requirements.