Making the choice to source products from low-cost nations like China is never an easy one for many business owners, especially in Western nations. However, most do eventually cross that bridge because factories in these places can produce your goods for a much less cost than they would in the West.
One of the main issues that business owners are worried about while thinking about this change is quality. They question whether a facility in China can produce its goods to the same standards as its European or American suppliers.
Sometimes, though, their worries are fuelled by the persistent notion that “Made in China” products are of inferior quality (which, incidentally is now eroding).
Up until a few years ago, China’s mass-produced goods might have had quality problems, but today there are many factories in China producing things that meet and occasionally even surpass western quality standards.
The demands of the expanding Chinese middle class as well as greater exposure to the demands of the global market have been major drivers of this development.
These domestic consumers make up a sizable market on their own, and they are on the lookout for and prepared to pay for high-quality products including electronics, home decor, toys, clothes and accessories, sports and fitness equipment, and other things.
Let us, therefore, discuss in this post what the real scenario of China quality control is.
Through a variety of internal and external product inspections, quality control is the process of concentrating on producing products that meet the necessary quality specifications. It is a component of the majority of global industrial standards.
However, the actual China quality control procedures may vary based on your product and the manufacturing environment. Therefore, when it comes to product quality checking in China, you need to keep the following in mind.
1. Chinese products are in fact not poor quality
One of the most widespread misconceptions regarding Chinese goods is that they are of poor quality and more akin to use-and-throw items. That is untrue, though.
A trustworthy manufacturer is often prepared to make the financial investment and tools necessary to achieve acceptable quality standards. Additionally, they are prepared to submit to a third-party quality control examination as requested by the buyers.
2. Your requirements must be well defined
Before you sign the contract, it is crucial for you to specify your China quality control criteria as the buyer. Unfortunately, the majority of customers simply approve the first sample and ask the manufacturer to begin production.
However, this is a highly dangerous course of action. There must be a quality control procedure in place on regular celebritylifecycle basis.
3. Manufacturing cost and quality cost will go hand-in-hand
Quality and manufacturing prices always go hand in hand, no matter where and what you are outsourcing, and this is something you as a customer must be aware of.
Unfortunately, the majority of buyers frequently travel to China with the exclusive intention of reducing the cost of production. However, it is expensive to purchase high-quality raw materials, production equipment, and expert labour.
4. Work with certain reliable manufacturing partners
Naturally, the product’s manufacturer will be most responsible for upholding the necessary safety and quality requirements. So, if you want to create bespoke items, you should pick a trustworthy, knowledgeable, and talented product manufacturer.
5. Ensure strict product inspection
To ensure that the intended product quality is maintained, you might ask your own employees or a Chinese third-party China quality control inspection business. However, keep in mind that third-party inspections necessitate the manufacturer’s full participation.
Inspections ought to be done prior to, during, and also after the production. Prior to shipping, you should inspect the goods and their packaging.
6. Prefer to buy from a manufacturer directly
The majority of middlemen pose as producers. By conducting a background check, it is possible to determine whether this is true. However, factories frequently subcontract some orders, and this matter is rarely discussed.
Some importers feel more confident making purchases from licensed brokers. However, the following harmful behaviours are practiced by 80% of local trading companies:
- To increase their profit, they collaborate with less reputable and less expensive factories, and they keep the consumer in the dark about any quality problems.
- Because they don’t manufacture, so they have no influence over it.
- When there will be quality issues, the buyer will never be informed. The trader will not be interested in the risk of losing an order.
- Since they are not manufacturers, so they have no control over quality.
Manufacturers on the other hand will usually give priority to quality to their direct overseas customers.
7. Link payments to quality approvals
As long as you owe money to your supplier, you are in a position of power, hence payment conditions are crucial:
- They will make an effort to finish on time.
- They will never object to quality inspections.
- If your inspector discovers quality problems, they will be under pressure to rework the goods.
Remember that after you wire a deposit, the opposite is true: you are “hooked”—especially if your supplier can sell your products to other buyers.
These are a few facts that you must understand:
1. Accept the cultural differences
There exists a big cultural difference between China and western countries. The living standard of China are also quite different and hence they may not perceive quality in the way any westerners may see.
2. Chinese factories have awareness of quality
Chinese factories may be poor in the documentation but those companies who have been manufacturing their niche product are well aware of the quality that they manufacture.
Therefore, select a company that has enough experience in manufacturing your product.
3. Quality is directly related to manufacturing cost
Often while negotiating with any Chinese companies, companies are tempted to negotiate very hard and reduce the price to rock bottom. Chinese companies are not willing to lose any overseas customers and may agree too. As a result, China quality control becomes the causality.
Conclusion
In reality, not all Chinese producers create inferior goods, and it is not always their fault. However, you must have a regular quality inspection system, while collaborating with any Chinese manufacturers.
