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What is Factory Inspections / Factory Audit?

A Factory Audit is a structured, on-site evaluation of your supplier’s manufacturing capability, quality management system, social compliance status, and export experience. It is a paper + people + production-line check that tells you whether this factory is a real partner for long-term cooperation, or a risky short-term choice. CGF auditors spend a full day on site, score each section, and deliver a Pass / Conditional / Fail verdict within 48 hours.

Key Benefits of Factory Inspections / Factory Audit

When Should You Consider a Factory Inspections / Factory Audit?

• First engagement with a new supplier — before placing any production order.
• Existing supplier showing quality drift, late shipments, or communication issues.
• Required by your customer (retailer, brand) as part of vendor onboarding.
• Required for compliance with social / environmental standards (BSCI, SEDEX, SA8000, WRAP, ISO 9001).

What Does CGF Inspection Check During Factory Inspections / Factory Audit?

Company Profile & Legality

• Business licence, export licence, tax registration, banking relationship.
• Years in business, ownership structure, parent company / group.
• Main customers, main export markets, annual turnover.

Production Capacity

• Factory size (m²), number of production lines, total headcount.
• Number of machines and their age / condition.
• Maximum monthly output for your specific product category.
• Sub-contracting policy (do they outsource any process?).

Quality Management

• Is there a documented quality manual and inspection procedure?
• AQL level used, sampling standard, defect classification.
• Number of QC staff, ratio of QC to production workers.
• Calibration of measuring equipment.
• Handling of customer complaints and corrective action process.

Technical Capability

• In-house R&D or sample-making team.
• Tooling / mould shop: own or outsourced?
• Lead time for new samples and new tooling.

Material Sourcing & Supply Chain

• Main raw material suppliers and lead time.
• Stock vs make-to-order policy for key materials.
• Alternative-source plan when a material is short.

Social Compliance

• Working hours, overtime policy, age verification of workers.
• Health and safety: fire exits, fire extinguishers, PPE, accident records.
• Worker dormitory and canteen condition.
• Child labour and forced labour prevention policy.

Environmental Compliance

• Wastewater and exhaust gas treatment.
• Hazardous chemical handling (if applicable to product category).
• Relevant environmental certificates (ISO 14001, OEKO-TEX, etc.).

Why Choose CGF Inspection for Factory Inspections / Factory Audit?

• Fast & Detailed Reporting – full inspection report with photo evidence within 24 hours.
• Global Inspector Network – inspections arranged within 24 hours of request.
• AQL-Compliant Sampling – follows ANSI/ASQC Z1.4 (ISO 2859-1) standards.
• Risk Mitigation – independent, third-party verification you can attach to your PO and shipping documents.

How CGF Conducts the Factory Inspections / Factory Audit

• Send the factory’s name, address and contact person to CGF.
• CGF confirms the booking date within 24 hours.
• Auditor spends a full day on site, walking the line, interviewing staff, reviewing documents.
• Report uploaded within 48 hours with a 0–100 score per section and a Pass / Conditional / Fail verdict.

Factory Inspections / Factory Audit Report Includes

• Overall Pass / Conditional / Fail verdict with reasoning.
• Score (0–100) per section, plus a weighted overall score.
• 50–80 photos: factory exterior, production lines, QC stations, warehouse, dormitory, safety equipment.
• Key findings and recommended corrective actions for any Conditional / Fail points.
• Risk summary for the buyer’s decision-making.

Industries We Cover

Where We Operate

Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Guangdong (Dongguan / Shenzhen / Foshan), Qingdao, Sichuan and other manufacturing hubs across China, plus Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines.

Inspection Standards We Work To

We apply internationally recognised standards for every assignment.

Standard	What it covers
AQL (Acceptance Quality Limit)	Defines the maximum number of defective units acceptable in a random sample — the basis of our sampling plan.
ANSI/ASQ Z1.4	U.S. standard for sampling by attributes (single, double and multiple sampling).
ISO 2859-1	International general standard for sampling by attributes, equivalent to ANSI/ASQ Z1.4.
ISO 9001	Quality management system certification checked during factory audits.

Specific Service Items Under Factory Inspections / Factory Audit

A Factory Inspections / Factory Audit engagement can be tailored to include any of the following service items. Mix and match based on the order, the product risk profile and your budget.