The Importance of Quality Control Measures in the Supply Chain

In recent years, there have been various challenges straining the manufacturing supply chain from increasing inflation to labour shortages. Businesses have strived to adapt and overcome these challenges and have been forced to reconsider ways to cut costs and improve productivity. Despite this, it is really important that manufacturers do not diminish the importance of their responsibilities when it comes to quality control of their products and health and safety. The quality control process requires a series of test and checks to proactively identify problems and get them resolved.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the regulator for health and safety in Britian. They have published that Manufacturers generally have the following responsibilities:

·         designing and manufacturing products in accordance with the essential health, safety or any other objectives of all product legislation applicable to the product

·         by carrying out (or having it carried out) the relevant conformity assessment procedure

·         drawing up and keeping the technical documentation, including Declaration of Conformity, and any associated Declarations of Incorporation or Performance

·         ensuring that products have appropriate conformity marking and are labelled: including type, batch or serial number or other element allowing its identification, and the name and address of the manufacturer (or where it is not possible for any of these to be indicated on the product in some cases the manufacturer must instead ensure that the information is indicated on its packaging or in a document accompanying the product)

·         accompanied by the required documents in English: usually the Instructions and safety information, in a form which is easily understood by the intended end-user, and in many cases the Declaration of Conformity.

Manufacturers must comply with these responsibilities which can be conceived as incurring costs and dwindling resources. However, it is arguable that robust quality control measures will actually save the business money and their reputation in the long run. Sufficient sample testing of products should be carried out to appropriately address any risks to the health and safety of others. It is imperative that any concerns that a product on the market does not conform, that the necessary action is taken to withdraw the product from the market or recall the product.

Failure to comply with these responsibilities puts the business at risk of legal claims, prosecutions and fines from the regulator. In addition to this cost saving, sufficient quality measures will save costs as a result of the increase of poor quality products.

Manufacturers may decide to invest in their quality procedures by appointing an authorised person to perform these tasks on behalf of the manufacturer. However, it is important that the manufacturer is aware that they would still remain responsible for the product but could delegate some of the obligations to a representative who can improve and establish protocols.

It is essential to invest in your quality control process to protect your business as it will become more cost-effective and you should maintain or even improve customer satisfaction. The implications of neglecting your quality processes could result in significant costs for your business and subsequent negative consequences.