Deciding which checks and measurements are needed
Checks of ingredients and packaging materials and checks of finished packed product before despatch from the factory are a combination of visual and laboratory inspections.
It is of fundamental importance that tests and inspections should be related to need.
Ask the questions,
- What properties of a material are likely to cause quality or process control problems if they deviate from specification?
- Who needs to know the results of a test?
- How quickly is the result of the test needed for action?
- What would be the consequence if the test was not done?
If the results of a test will never result in any action then it is probable that the test is a waste of time!
If after a doing a test for a number of weeks or months there are never any actionable results it is probable that the test should be discontinued.