Supplier Qualification Guide
Make supplier qualification evidence specific to the entity, site and manufacturing scope your project needs. Request documents that can be checked—not just a row of logos.
Know what each document actually proves.
Management-system certification, personnel training, product recognition and a shipment test report are different types of evidence. ISO develops standards but does not itself issue certification; independent certification bodies perform that role. [S08]
Request current certificates for the manufacturing site proposed for your order, including the scope, issuing body and expiry date.
Match the evidence to your requirement.
The following names explain common qualification requests. They are not a list of certifications claimed by GlobalWellPCB.
Scroll the table horizontally to see all columns.
| Review area | What to evaluate | What to agree |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 9001 | A quality-management-system certification, within the certificate’s stated scope. [S09] | Check legal entity, manufacturing site, scope, issuer and validity. |
| ISO 13485 | A medical-device quality-management standard with a defined organizational scope. [S10] | Confirm whether the proposed activities and site fall within the certificate. |
| IATF 16949 | Automotive quality-management certification with defined applicability. [S11] | Verify the relevant manufacturing site and customer-specific qualification requirements. |
| IPC evidence | Personnel credentials and company/process validation are distinct. [S12] | State whether trained personnel, a qualified process or specified workmanship criteria are required. |
| UL recognition | Recognition relates to an evaluated category and construction, not every possible PCB. [S13] | Check the file, board type, material and construction restrictions relevant to the order. |
| Order-specific records | A certificate of conformance or test report addresses stated order or test requirements. | Match it to the part, revision, lot and actual supplied scope; do not treat it as QMS certification. |
Tell us which features need inspection, your sampling requirements and the reports you need. We will confirm these details in your quotation.
From a clear requirement to a documented decision.
- 01
List the qualification needs
Separate mandatory credentials from preferred evidence. Identify the intended legal entity, production site and outsourced activities where applicable.
- 02
Request the source documents
Ask for a complete, readable certificate or official verification record rather than a cropped logo. Include relevant annexes or scope details.
- 03
Verify relevance and status
Check names, locations, scope, issuer and validity through the issuer or appropriate official verification route. Resolve inconsistencies before approval.
- 04
Record the supplier decision
Keep the reviewed evidence, date, reviewer and any conditions. Define when renewed documents or notification of status changes will be required.
Review certificate identity, scope and validity.
Request current qualification documents for the proposed manufacturing entity and site, and review the covered operations, validity dates and relevant scope annexes.
- Certificate identity
- Standard and revision, certificate identifier, issuing body and covered legal entity.
- Covered operations
- Site addresses, activity scope and relevant annexes or exclusions.
- Validity check
- Issue/expiry information, review date and the official source used to verify status.
- Document verification
- Check the original document, certificate holder, manufacturing site, covered activities, expiry date and the issuer’s verification record.
A credential is not a promise about every product.
Do not describe a management-system certificate as product approval, or an operator’s IPC training credential as company certification. A customer order still needs defined acceptance criteria and relevant inspection/test evidence. ISO logos must not be used as if ISO has certified the supplier. [S08] [S12]
Supplier Qualification Guide FAQs
Find answers about inspection methods, reports and approvals before placing your order.
How can I verify certifications for my order?
Request the current certificate set for the manufacturing entity and site proposed for your order. Confirm certificate identifiers, covered operations and validity dates before supplier approval.
Does ISO itself issue the certificate?
No. Certification is performed by external certification bodies. A standard name or ISO logo on a website is not sufficient evidence of a valid certification. [S08]
Does ISO 9001 certify every PCB in a shipment?
No. It concerns the organization’s quality-management system within its stated scope. Product acceptance and shipment conformity require their own applicable criteria and records. [S09]
Is an IPC-trained operator the same as an IPC-qualified company?
No. Identify the credential type and what it covers. Individual training and a validated manufacturing process are different evidence categories. [S12]
Does a UL file cover every material and construction?
Do not assume that it does. Check the relevant recognition category, material and construction limitations against the specific PCB being purchased. [S13]
Can material-compliance declarations replace certifications?
No. Request declarations and supporting evidence for the actual product/material scope, separately from management-system certification. The required documents depend on the customer and application.
Technical references
- [S08]ISO — Certification
- [S09]ISO — ISO 9000 family — Quality management
- [S10]ISO — ISO 13485:2016, medical-device quality management systems
- [S11]IATF — About IATF 16949
- [S12]IPC — Qualified Manufacturers List, J-STD-001 / IPC-A-610
- [S13]UL — Printed wiring board standards and recognition scope
Explore the inspection and testing references below. Include the applicable standards, acceptance criteria and required records with your enquiry so we can confirm the inspection plan for your board.