Your business may be held liable for every step in your supply chain. Here are some tips on how to know as much as you can about who and where your parts, products and services come from.
DID YOU KNOW…
Twenty-seven percent of businesses worry about being unable to get products to customers? Your business may be held liable for every step in your supply chain. Here are a few things you can do to ease the worry.
Regulatory Oversight
Maintain constant oversight of your suppliers’ policies and practices to make sure they comply with safety, environmental and industry regulations.
Counterfeit Parts
Knowing how to identify counterfeit parts is helpful. Rigorous planning and oversight of vendor selection criteria, engineering controls, component sampling, inspection and testing is key, too.
Overseas Suppliers
When parts, components or suppliers come from overseas, verify that they meet your specifications and quality expectations, as you may be fully liable for them.
Consumer Demand
If your customers have specific demands, like earth-friendly products, fair-trade practices or clean technology, you should make sure your suppliers meet these expectations.
Have a Backup Plan
Change is constant. Every time you change suppliers, re-evaluate and re-ensure that the proper regulatory, environmental, safety and backup standards and controls are in place and practiced.