A “Source Inspection“ is different from a “Supplier Audit” (or Product Audit) because it is an “inspection” (not an audit). Unlike a Supplier/Product Audit (which follows a product through its entire production process – verifying that requirements have been met), a Source Inspection takes place at the end of the production line. A Source Inspection essentially replaces the Receiving Inspection performed by the customer.

A “Source Inspection” typically involves verifying that the product characteristics comply with those specified on an Engineering drawing (along with any specifications invoked), and could also include non-destructive testing. The source inspection may include verifying the raw material certifications (e.g., Certificate of Analysis, Material Test Reports), to support that the material used complies with the requirements for the finished product. “Source Inspection” could also verify that any “Special Processes” are supported by certificates from the processing operation (whether in-house or outsourced). The Aerospace industry usually requires those special processes to be Nadcap accredited.

While the Supplier/Product Audit may seem similar to a Source Inspection, the major difference between the two is that if a nonconformity is found during a Source Inspection, then it is up to the company (supplier) to figure out the source/cause of the nonconformity. However, a Source Inspection usually involves a much larger sampling of finished products than a Supplier/Product Audit (e.g., from multiple shifts and multiple workers). So the likelihood of a nonconformity being identified during a Source Inspection is greater than what might be found during a Supplier/Product audit.

Instead of the typical Audit Report provided by “Quality Auditing”, a “Source Inspection” would be more similar to a AS 9102 First Article Inspection Report… except that, unlike a FAI, the “Source Inspection” report would include the results of all of the products inspected.