When selecting a China supplier, factory audit is a key step in risk reduction. But many buyers dont realize: an audit is more than just visiting a factory β different types of audits have different focuses and use cases. Choosing the wrong audit type wastes money and fails to achieve its risk control purpose.
Three common audit types: 1. Walkthrough Audit. The auditor walks through the factory, checking production equipment,η°εΊ management, worker conditions, and basic sanitation β completed in 1-2 hours. Suitable for initial supplier screening and verifying factory authenticity. Not suitable as a compliance certification basis. 2. Standard Audit (Deep Audit). Based on ISO 9001, SA8000, or client-specific standards, checking documents,ηΎε ΄ operations, worker interviews, social security payments, etc. β usually takes 1-2 days. Applied to apparel, electronics, food and other high-compliance industries, and a requirement for major retailers (Target, Walmart, Costco). 3. Capacity Assessment Audit. Specifically evaluates supplier actual capacity and delivery stability, including equipment lists, worker counts, monthly capacity records, and client references. Suitable for assessing whether the factory can handle target order volumes β essential for buyers with large orders.
Practical advice: Do at least a Walkthrough before your first order to confirm the factory is real; do a Standard Audit before important or long-term orders; do a Capacity Assessment before peak season or hot product stockpiling. Audit reports are usually valid for 6 months β expired ones need to be redone. Shaoxing Chungde Trading offers all three audit types. We can accompany clients to audits or conduct audits on behalf of clients, with detailed photo documentation and reports delivered within 24 hours.