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 and usually involves a much larger sampling of finished products (based on the AQL or AOQL selected). The “AOQL” (Average Outgoing Quality Limit) represents the maximum percent defective level for outgoing quality.

(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.

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 raw material certifications (e.g., Certificate of Analysis, Material Test Reports) supports that the material used complies with the requirements for the finished product.
• 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.

A “Source Inspection” is similar to an AS 9102 First Article Inspection (FAI)… except that, unlike a FAI, the “Source Inspection” report would include the results of all of the products inspected (i.e., included in the sample).

A Source Inspection “may” replace the Receiving Inspection performed by the customer.

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,