What is a factory audit?

A factory audit is a tool for making sure facilities meet customer standards, as well as requirements for specific regions and markets. The audit itself assesses facilities themselves and their capabilities. This can include the machinery and production systems, quality control, and workplace environment.

There are also different types of factory audits. Social compliance audits, for example, focus on making sure that working conditions are ethical and up to international labor standards. Others, such as GMP audits, are specific to certain industries. This can include products such as medical devices and medications, food, and cosmetics. 

Why get a factory audit?

There are several reasons to conduct a factory audit. First, complying with domestic and international regulations means you can continue providing your product to clients. These regulations tend to be updated over time, and an audit is one way to ensure you’re still meeting them and know to pivot when necessary.

Audits are also beneficial if you are concerned about issues with the manufacturing process or want to have a routine check-in. Uncovering any underlying issues can save you money long-term by providing opportunities to correct them early. Social audits, in particular, are desirable to ensure your business is a link in an ethical chain. This gives consumers more trust in your business and promotes customer retention.

How to schedule a factory audit

The first step to scheduling a factory audit is to decide what type or types of audits are necessary. Also, consider how often they should be conducted. If you’re finding consistent or multiple issues, you may want them done more frequently until operations run smoothly.

Once you’ve outlined your requirements, search for an audit team with experience assessing similar manufacturing processes. After the evaluation is complete, it will be important to follow up on any corrective actions that come from the analysis to fully benefit from it.

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