What is a First Article Inspection (FAI)?
A First Article Inspection, also called a before production inspection or an initial production check, takes place at the start of the run, before mass production is underway or when no more than twenty per cent of the order is finished. The inspector checks the things everything else depends on: the materials on site, the approved sample, the machine setup, the packaging, and the first pieces that actually come off the line. Finding the wrong fabric or a mis-set mould at this stage costs you a day. Finding it after the run costs you the order.
During the inspection, our specialists verify:
Raw materials and components
We check that the materials and components on site match your specification and the approved sample, before they go into production.
Approved sample against the line setup
We compare your reference sample with what the line is actually set up to produce, so a deviation shows up before the first batch runs.
Machinery and tooling
We check that moulds, dies and machine settings are correct and in usable condition for your product.
Packaging and printed materials
We verify that cartons, inner packaging and printed materials are on site, correct and in the right quantity.
Production plan and capacity
We confirm the planned output, the staffing on the line and whether the schedule is realistic for your delivery date.
The first pieces off the line
We inspect the first articles that actually come off the line against your specification and the approved sample, so the run is only released once the output itself has been checked and not just the setup.
Where we inspect
First article inspection in sixteen countries
Select your country of manufacture when you order. We run first article inspections across sixteen countries, so you book the same service and receive the same report format wherever your goods are made. Lead times and inspector availability differ per country, which we confirm when you book.
- East Asia: China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
- South Asia: Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.
- Europe and North Africa: Poland, Tunisia and Turkey.
- Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
- Most inspections are booked three to five working days ahead. In peak season, before Chinese New Year and before the summer shutdowns, allow a week.
- Not on the list? Ask us. We can often arrange an inspector through our partner network.
Quality Control
What to expect from a First Article Inspection?
A first article inspection lets you correct the input before it becomes output. It is the cheapest inspection in the cycle because nothing has been made yet.
Why a First Article Inspection is important
Catch a wrong material or a wrong setting while it still costs an afternoon to fix.
Verify materials before they are used
Confirm the sample matches the setup
Check tooling and machine settings
Make sure packaging is on site
Test whether the schedule is realistic
Avoid a full rerun of the order
What we check in a First Article Inspection
We inspect the inputs and the setup, not the finished goods.
Raw materials and components
Approved sample versus line setup
Moulds, dies and machine settings
Packaging and printed materials
Planned output and staffing
Compliance with your specifications
Quality control at every stage of production
Choose the right inspection at each stage of production to reduce risk, ensure quality, and stay in control.
First Article Inspection
Validate your product before full production starts. Ensure samples meet your specifications.
- Before production
- Validate first sample
- Confirm specifications & materials
- Identify issues early
During Production Inspection
Monitor quality during production and detect issues before they affect the full order.
- During production
- Monitor production quality
- Check progress & consistency
- Reduce defects early
Pre-Shipment Inspection
Verify product quality before shipment and ensure your order meets all requirements.
- After production
- Final quality check
- Verify quantity & packaging
- Confirm compliance
Container Loading Supervision
Ensure your goods are loaded correctly and safely before shipment.
- During loading
- Verify quantities loaded
- Check handling & packaging
- Prevent shipping issues
100% Inspection
Inspect every unit to eliminate defects and ensure maximum quality control.
- Before shipment
- Inspect every unit
- Remove defective products
- Ensure full consistency
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about this service.
Either just before the line starts or when no more than twenty per cent of the order is complete. Later than that and the point is gone, because the materials are already in the product.
No. A factory audit assesses the supplier as a company: systems, capacity and certification. A first article inspection looks at one specific order and the materials and setup for that order.
The golden sample tells you what the factory can make. This inspection tells you what the factory is about to make. Those are not always the same thing, and that gap is where most quality problems start.
You get the report with photographs the same day, before production runs. That gives you the option to stop the line and have it corrected while it is still a conversation about materials rather than about a finished order.
Yes, and most importers do. A first article inspection and a pre shipment inspection together cover both ends of the run. For longer orders a during production inspection in between is the usual addition.
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Phone
Office
Fellenoordstraat 52 Unit 2.38, 4811TJ Breda, Netherlands
VAT
NL865927534B01
Chamber of Commerce
NL 92195873