Structure the brief
Write down product, materials, quantities, market, timing and your decision criteria.
Buyer guide
How to verify factory certifications
A certificate logo on a supplier page is not enough. Buyers need to check whether the document is current and whether it covers the exact factory, process and product programme.
Check five things
- Legal company and factory name
- Certificate issuer and certificate number
- Issue and expiry dates
- Scope: site, process, product or material
- Whether it applies to your market and customer requirements
Verify with the issuing body where possible
Use the certificate issuer’s own validation process or request written confirmation. If the manufacturer cannot provide a current document, treat the claim as unconfirmed.
Keep your approval record
Store the document, validation date, programme scope and any limitations in the supplier approval file. Repeat the check when documentation expires or the production location changes.
Use this in a real sourcing process
A certificate must match the order
The logo is not the evidence. Check the legal entity, facility, scope, issuer, certificate number and validity date. Then verify that it covers the material or process your programme requires.
Record the answer
Keep the factory’s response, documents, assumptions and open questions in one approval record.
Confirm in writing
Commercial terms, sample approvals, test scope and delivery milestones must be programme-specific.
Use the free buyer tools
Build a structured RFQ before contacting suppliers, then use the verification checklist before you approve a factory for a specific programme.