What is a Factory Audit
A Factory Audit is an on-site evaluation of a supplier carried out before you place an order or transfer a deposit. An auditor visits the registered production address, walks the workshops, checks the equipment in person and verifies the quality system behind the sales documents. For consumer-goods buyers in the US and EU, it is the standard first step when a new supplier is found on Alibaba, at a trade fair or through a sourcing agent. A factory inspection in China looks at the goods of a specific production order; an audit evaluates the supplier as a whole, before you commit money.
What the audit covers
- Company profile, business licence, export experience and main markets served
- Production capacity, main equipment, workshop layout and realistic monthly output
- Quality management system, in-line QC workflow and document control
- Incoming, in-process and final inspection capability, and calibration practice
- Social compliance, labour practice and workplace conditions
- Past performance, references and risk indicators such as undeclared subcontracting
When to book a Factory Audit
Book an audit before awarding a new supplier, before a large or customised order, or whenever an existing partner's quality has slipped and you need to re-verify capability. Many buyers combine it with a sourcing and supplier check to build a vetted shortlist, then follow up with an initial production check (IPC) once mass production starts.
Why a Factory Audit matters
- Reduces sourcing risk by confirming the supplier's real capability and output
- Supports safer deposits and stronger contracts
- Identifies compliance and social-responsibility gaps before they become your problem
- Provides a clear risk score and actionable recommendations
An audit also shows whether the 'factory' is a real manufacturer or a trading company, so you know where — and by whom — your goods will be made.
Standards we reference
Audits are guided by ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental) and SA8000 / ISO 45001 (social accountability and occupational health & safety), combined with local labour and export regulations. Where you have your own supplier manual or code of conduct, the checklist is adapted to it, and quality risks identified on site are noted for follow-up by a pre-shipment inspection (PSI) once production starts.
Where we operate
Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Guangdong (Dongguan / Shenzhen / Foshan / Shunde), Qingdao, Sichuan, Chongqing and across China. CGF Inspection was founded in Hangzhou in 2017; its 50+ certified inspectors have completed 3,000+ QC projects, drawing on 15+ years of team inspection experience. Recent work includes a factory audit of a machinery supplier in Nantong.
Reporting
You receive a structured audit report with a risk score, photo evidence and prioritised recommendations, delivered within 24 to 48 hours. Findings are written in plain English, and a fixed-fee quote is provided within one working day of your enquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a factory audit and a factory inspection?
An audit evaluates the supplier — capability, quality system, equipment and compliance — and is normally done before an order is placed. A factory inspection evaluates the goods: samples are checked against your specification during production or before shipment. Most buyers start with an audit, then book inspections for each production run.
When should a factory inspection in China be done?
Before you commit to the supplier: ideally before the deposit is paid and production slots are booked. A pre-order audit typically takes one auditor-day on site, and the report reaches you within 24 to 48 hours, so it rarely delays a sourcing decision. For running orders, product checks follow the production calendar — IPC at the start, DPI during production and PSI before shipment.
Do you audit trading companies as well as manufacturers?
Yes. The audit records whether the supplier is a manufacturer or an intermediary, whether production is in-house or subcontracted, and the actual address and scale of the site. That protects buyers who place orders with a company whose factory belongs to someone else.
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