Factory audits and background checks in China

With a factory audit and background check, we find out that the Chinese supplier is who he says he is and that he is able to deliver the kind of product that the customer has specified.

The factory audit usually includes a review of the customer’s product specifications with a factory representative at the supplier’s office and an inspection of the production facilities and lines. Going through things face-to-face best ensures that the parties understand each other, which is a prerequisite for high-quality production and keeping to schedules. During the visit to the factory, observations are made of the risk factors of the production process that could affect the fulfilment of the customer’s order. At the same time, it is also checked that the conditions of the factory in terms of occupational safety, child labour and environmental protection are such that the Nordics can be confident about the ethics of their products. A personal visit to the supplier shows that the customer is a customer to be taken seriously and that when problems arise, the factory cannot avoid responsibility via e-mail.

Background checks clarify the supplier’s identity and ensure that we are indeed dealing with the right company. Often, Finnish buyers do not even know the official name of the supplier, which is always in Chinese with Chinese characters. We check the official company documents of the Chinese supplier and compare the information with the local trade register and possible offer and contract papers and websites. The reasons for the discrepancies will be clarified.

Purchasing from China should not be done by luck, but by eliminating the biggest and most common risks in advance. Professional procurement ensures the timely delivery of high-quality products without unpleasant surprises.