Why Conduct a Factory Audit?
Alibaba Gold Supplier badges and trade certifications tell you very little about what actually happens on the factory floor. A professional factory audit reveals the reality: actual production capacity, true quality management systems, real certification status, workforce conditions, and financial stability signals. It's your strongest protection against supplier fraud and quality failures.
What Our Factory Audit Covers
Legal & Documentation
Business license, export license, production permits, ISO/CE certificates, and trade history verification.
Production Capacity
Factory size, equipment inventory, machinery condition, actual output rates vs. claimed capacity.
Quality Management
QC procedures, testing equipment, incoming materials inspection, production process controls, and defect handling.
Workforce & Conditions
Headcount, skill levels, labor conditions, working hours, and staff turnover indicators.
Financial Stability
Payment terms offered by their suppliers, factory ownership structure, and financial stability signals.
Social & Environmental
Compliance with local environmental regulations, waste handling, and social responsibility indicators for clients with ethical sourcing requirements.
Audit Report Contents
Our 40+ point audit report is delivered in PDF within 48 hours of the site visit and includes:
- Factory overview with GPS-verified location and photos of facility exterior and interior
- Verification of all licenses and certificates (photos of originals)
- Production capacity assessment with equipment photos
- Quality management system evaluation scored on a 100-point scale
- Observations on workforce size, skills, and working conditions
- Identified risks with severity classification (low/medium/high)
- Overall supplier recommendation: Approved / Conditional / Not Recommended
- 100+ photos documenting all audit areas
Types of Factory Audit
| Audit Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Supplier Pre-Qualification Audit | Initial evaluation before placing any order | 1 day |
| Quality System Audit (ISO-based) | Deep evaluation of QMS processes and documentation | 1â2 days |
| Social & Ethical Compliance Audit | Labor, environmental, and ethical standards assessment | 1 day |
| Technical / Process Audit | Evaluation of specific manufacturing processes or equipment | 1â2 days |
| Follow-up Audit | Verify corrective actions from previous audit findings | Half day |
Audit Pricing
Factory audits are priced per auditor per day, with a fixed-fee option for standard pre-qualification audits:
- Standard Pre-Qualification Audit â from $250 (within Guangdong Province)
- Full Quality System Audit (2-day) â from $450 (within Guangdong Province)
- Outside Guangdong â travel surcharge applies; quoted per factory location
Frequently Asked Questions
Request a Factory Audit
Share the factory name, address, and your key concerns â we'll confirm the audit date and auditor assignment within 24 hours.