1. Purpose
The purpose of this Quality Control Protocol is to ensure that all products traded by Juros Trading meet the specified requirements of our clients, comply with international standards, and arrive in optimal condition. We aim to minimize risk, prevent disputes, and maintain our reputation for reliability.
2. Scope
This protocol applies to:
- All suppliers and vendors engaged by Juros Trading.
- All products prior to shipment (Pre-shipment inspection).
- All associated documentation and policy compliance.
3. Key Principles
3.1 Independence
While QC is performed by Management, objectivity is maintained by separating the QC function from the direct sales negotiation process. Management reviews all findings impartially.
3.2 Standardization
All inspections will follow defined checklists based on the product category.
3.3 Management-Led QC
All quality control activities, including supplier audits and pre-shipment inspections, are conducted directly by the Management team of Juros Trading. This ensures that decisions regarding quality are made at the highest level, demonstrating our commitment to excellence and direct accountability to our clients.
3.4 Policy Adherence
All verified suppliers must operate within the strict policy guidelines set forth by Juros Trading.
4. Supplier Qualification (Vendor Audits)
Before placing a large or recurring order, the Management team of Juros Trading shall personally qualify the supplier to ensure they have the capacity and systems to produce quality goods.
The process includes:
- Documentation Review: Requesting valid business licenses, manufacturing permits, and prior export records.
- Sample Evaluation: Requesting and reviewing pre-production samples (PP Samples) to verify quality against client specifications.
- Capacity Check: Ensuring the supplier has the manpower and machinery to fulfill the order quantity within the timeline.
- Policy Acknowledgment: Suppliers must read, understand, and sign an acknowledgment form confirming they will adhere to the Juros Trading Supplier Policy Control Guidelines (see Section 9).
- On-site Audit: A physical visit to the supplier's factory by Juros Trading Management to assess:
- Production lines and machinery.
- Raw material quality and storage.
- Working conditions and labor practices.
- Adherence to ethical sourcing policies.
Note: This is a mandatory requirement for all new high-volume or high-risk suppliers.
5. Pre-Production And Inline Inspection
For certain manufacturing cycles, Management may conduct:
- Pre-Production Meeting: Confirming raw material quality and policy compliance before mass production begins.
- During Production (DUPRO): For large orders, a member of Management will visit the factory while production is 20-30% complete to catch defects early and verify adherence to guidelines.
6. Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI)
This is the most critical step. Before any goods leave the supplier's warehouse or port of origin, a Pre-Shipment Inspection must be conducted by Juros Trading Management or a designated, vetted representative reporting directly to Management.
Inspection Criteria:
- Quantity Check: Verifying that the carton counts and piece counts match the packing list.
- Appearance & Workmanship: Visual inspection for scratches, stains, color mismatch, or poor finishing.
- Measurement/Dimension Check: Verifying that sizes, weights, or volumes match the product specifications.
- Functionality Test: If applicable (e.g., electronics, mechanical parts), random units will be tested for basic function.
- Packaging Integrity: Checking that the inner and outer packaging is sturdy and suitable for the transport method (sea/air).
- Marking & Labeling: Ensuring cartons are marked correctly with purchase order numbers, weights, and handling instructions.
Sampling Standard:
Inspections will generally follow the ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 (or ISO 2859) standard.
- Critical Defect: 0% tolerance (e.g., safety hazard, wrong product entirely).
- Major Defect: Acceptable Quality Limit (AQL) of 1.0% or 1.5% (e.g., product doesn't work, wrong size).
- Minor Defect: AQL of 4.0% (e.g., small scratch, slightly messy stitching).
7. Loading Supervision (Container Stuffing)
To prevent shortages or swapping of goods, Juros Trading Management may personally perform, or assign a trusted representative to perform, Container Loading Supervision.
- Monitor the loading of containers to ensure only inspected and approved goods are shipped.
- Verify that packaging and loading practices comply with our policy guidelines (e.g., proper palletization, no overloading).
- Record container seal numbers and take photos of the loaded container for records.
8. Management Review And Sign-Off
No shipment is authorized to proceed without the final review and explicit sign-off from a member of Juros Trading Management. This ensures that all quality standards and policy requirements have been met before the goods leave the supplier's control.
9. Supplier Policy Control Compliance
All verified suppliers of Juros Trading must strictly adhere to our internal Supplier Policy Control Guidelines. This is a condition of doing business with us.
Key Policy Requirements Include:
- Ethical Sourcing: Suppliers must certify that goods are produced without the use of forced labor, child labor, or human trafficking.
- Material Compliance: Suppliers must ensure all raw materials and finished goods comply with relevant international regulations (e.g., REACH, RoHS, Prop 65) depending on the destination market.
- Documentation Integrity: Suppliers must provide accurate and truthful documentation, including invoices, packing lists, and certificates of origin. Falsification of documents is grounds for immediate disqualification.
- Confidentiality: Suppliers must treat all product specifications, pricing, and client information shared by Juros Trading as strictly confidential.
- Right to Audit: Juros Trading Management reserves the right to conduct announced or unannounced audits of supplier facilities to verify compliance with these policy guidelines.
Failure to adhere to these policies will result in corrective action, suspension, or permanent removal from the Juros Trading supplier register.
10. Documentation And Reporting
Every inspection and audit conducted by Management must result in a QC Report. This report shall include:
- Date and location of inspection.
- Name of Management Personnel conducting the inspection.
- Purchase Order Number and Product Code.
- Photos (wide shots and close-ups of defects).
- List of defects found.
- Final Verdict: Pass / Conditional Pass / Reject.
11. Non-Conformance And Corrective Action
If goods do not meet the required standards:
- Rejection: Goods are rejected if critical defects are found. Supplier must rework or replace at their own cost.
- Rework: Minor issues may allow for "rework" at the supplier's expense, followed by a re-inspection by Management.
- Negotiation: In some cases, with client approval, goods may be accepted at a discounted rate (Concession).
- Policy Violation: If non-conformance is linked to a breach of the Supplier Policy Control Guidelines, additional penalties may apply, including termination of the business relationship.
12. Approved Third-Party Partners (Optional)
While QC is primarily Management-led, Juros Trading may utilize independent inspection companies (such as SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek) for high-value or specialized shipments when client contracts require it, or when geographical constraints prevent a Management visit. In such cases, the third party reports directly to Management.