The extensive factory audit (EFA) should be performed before the buyer places an order with a new vendor. This extentive factory audit (ISO 9001) is usually performed during two days at your manufacturer's premises. It judges the manufacturer on the basis of the internationally recognised standard ISO 9001.

Depending on the result, additional services could be of your interest: TC auditors can prepare a corrective action plan and arrange a corrective actions follow-up audit to ensure the non conformities have been modified.

Benefit of an extensive factory audit 

The extensive factory audit is performed by ISO 9001 certified auditors and follows the ISO 9001 standard and abides by the criteria of their norms. In addition, there are a few check points that regard environmental and social conditions at the factory. With this factory audit you will be fully aware of the status of your business partner. If it's the first time you are working with a factory and/or you wish to build a long-term partnership, we recommend a factory audit. When importing from China it is important to know exactly whom you are dealing with: a vendor, a factory or even a middleman.

Valuable issues with the extensive factory audit

Avoiding scams and inexperienced vendors

Compare potential vendors and select viable source

Check the needed certificates and licenses for the specific factories

Check the factory's experience in manufacturing your product(s)

Get the full view of the factory structure, organization, quality process and experience 

What do we check during an EFA?

The extensive factory audit (ISO 9001) is based on the international standard with a few additional check points to give you comprehensive information about a supplier. A certified and experienced auditor assesses in how far a supplier's factory complies with the standards set for ISO 9001 audits. These checks include the full profile of your potential vendor / factory / manufacturer:

Factory Profile: name, contact details, licenses check etc.

Employees and Workforce: management, QC, workers etc.

Facility Check: office, equipment, production lines etc.

Clients and Experience: trade history, samples check etc.

Documents Verification: licenses, certificates etc.

Management System:

Design Control

Purchasing Control

Storage Management

Incoming Inspection

Production Control

Final Internal Product Inspection & Testing

Control of Measuring & Testing Equipment

Resource Management

Continual Improvement

Social Environment Responsibility 

Why should I book an extensive factory audit?

Because choosing the right partner is difficult and important. Assessing your vendor according to existing and recognized international quality standards is valuable. This extensive factory audit will allow you to know who you are dealing with .

Corrective Action Plan for EFA (ISO 9001)

After the EFA, you may request your supplier to make improvements on the non-conformities (NC) found during the initial audit. The corrective action plan following the extensive factory audit is a list documenting all non-conformities. It is a guide for improvements that helps the supplier to propose and implement precise and detailed corrective actions.

Follow-up audit for EFA (ISO 9001)

The Corrective actions follow-up audit focuses on checking that the related corrective and preventive actions are effective. It ensures the non-conformities identified in the extensive factory audit are now conformed.

Extensive Factory Audit is a 2.0 version of simple factory audit, looking deeper into the factory’s conditions, capabilities and full quality control system. It is more detailed and comprehensive, and is recommended for most cases, especially when you are placing a valuable order or planning for a long-term business relationship.

Factory profile:business name, address, founding date, ownership, registered capital, organization chart, contact details, certificates, etc.

Facilities and manufacturing processes:office, production areas, production lines, machines and equipment, processes

Experience:main markets, trade history, featured customers, samples

Production capacities: daily and monthly output

Manpower:count of management, administration, R&D staff, QC, workers

Sample checking:Quick check of samples similar to the desired product

Quality system:a comprehensive investigation of factory’s quality system