Simple Factory Audit in China & Asia
At Topway, we provide Simple Factory Audit (SFA) — also known as Supplier Qualification Audit — to help you evaluate and verify potential suppliers before placing an order.
This audit is conducted on-site at the manufacturer’s premises and typically takes just one day. Our team reviews the supplier’s legal certificates, production capacity, facilities, workforce, and basic quality systems to ensure they meet your expectations.
By performing an SFA before production begins, Topway helps you minimize sourcing risks, select reliable suppliers, and build a stronger foundation for your supply chain.
What is Simple Factory Audit (SFA)?
At Topway, our Simple Factory Audit (SFA) — also called Supplier Qualification Audit — is conducted in line with ISO 9000 standards.
If you are working with a factory for the first time, or selecting potential new suppliers in China & Asia, this audit is an essential step to secure your supply chain. It is sometimes referred to as a basic supplier qualification, supplier assessment, or supplier evaluation audit.
The purpose of the SFA is to ensure you start production with a legitimate supplier who has the capability to meet your requirements. In business, trust is important — but it’s equally critical to verify whether your partner is truly a factory, a vendor, or even a middleman.
While the SFA is not as comprehensive as an Extensive Factory Audit, it provides you with a clear, factual report with photos and key findings, giving you confidence in the supplier you are dealing with.
Simple Factory Audit Checklist
At Topway, our auditors conduct an on-site evaluation of your factory or supplier, helping you understand their reliability and qualification level. Each Supplier Qualification Audit is tailored to your specific needs, combining our standard framework with any additional requirements you may have.
Our audit checklist typically includes:
Factory Profile & Background
- Supplier & Facility name, contact details
- Business license verification & legal status
- Bank account information and registration details
Facility & Production Line Check
- Office and workspace conditions
- Test equipment & production machinery
- Number and status of production lines
Workforce & Organization
- Management team, R&D, and QC staff
- Worker skill levels and organizational structure
Clients & Experience
- Trade history and key customers
- Sample room and review of similar product samples
Management System & Certifications
- Production management process & storage system
- IQC, IPQC, FQC procedures
- Technical files & compliance certificates
Quality Assurance System
- ISO certifications, BSCI audit reports
- Product test reports & third-party audit results
- QC manual and internal quality management practices
By following this comprehensive audit checklist, Topway ensures you have a clear picture of your supplier’s capabilities, compliance, and credibility before you place an order.
Why Do You Need a Simple Factory Audit Service?
At Topway, we understand that choosing the right supplier is the foundation of a secure supply chain. Our Simple Factory Audit (SFA) service helps you:
Reduce risks – Identify fraudulent schemes or unreliable suppliers before production begins.
Save time and resources – Spot potential risks early with timely on-site assessments.
Compare vendors effectively – Gain transparent insights to select the supplier best aligned with your business goals.
Verify compliance – Ensure all licenses, certificates, and legal documents are valid and trustworthy.
Check production capability – Evaluate a factory’s expertise, facilities, and track record to ensure product quality and consistency.
Maintain supply chain integrity – Confirm supplier credibility during audits and reinforce quality assurance at every stage.
With Topway’s SFA service, you gain confidence, transparency, and reliability before investing in a new supplier relationship.
How to Perform a Supplier Audit
At Topway, we follow a structured and professional process to ensure each Supplier Audit delivers reliable and actionable results. The typical steps include:
- Assemble the Audit Team
Select experienced auditors with expertise in your industry and the type of supplier audit required. - Prepare the Audit Checklist
Develop a tailored checklist covering all key aspects of the supplier’s operations — from legal compliance to production capacity and quality systems. - Conduct On-Site Factory Inspection
Evaluate the supplier’s facilities, equipment, processes, and workforce against the prepared checklist. - Collect Evidence
Gather supporting materials such as documents, photographs, and staff interviews to validate findings. - Generate the Audit Report
Provide a comprehensive report detailing the audit results, non-conformities, risks, and clear recommendations for improvement.
Why Is Supplier Audit Important?
At Topway, we believe that supplier verification audits are a critical step in building a reliable, efficient, and ethical supply chain. They not only ensure that you partner with dependable, high-quality suppliers but also help you mitigate risks, reduce costs, and strengthen long-term business relationships.
Here are the key reasons why supplier audits matter:
Risk Mitigation
Identify and address potential risks such as financial instability, operational weaknesses, or regulatory non-compliance. This helps prevent disruptions and ensures a more resilient supply chain.
Quality Assurance
Evaluate the supplier’s quality management systems and production processes to ensure products meet required specifications and standards, reducing rework, returns, and customer complaints.
Cost Savings
Audits can reveal inefficiencies and improvement opportunities, allowing better price negotiations or the identification of alternative suppliers. This often translates into significant cost reductions and stronger profit margins.
Regulatory Compliance
Ensure that suppliers comply with relevant industry regulations and standards, protecting your business from legal issues, fines, and reputational damage.
Environmental & Social Responsibility
Assess suppliers’ adherence to fair labor practices, sustainability, and ethical operations, helping your company meet corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives.
Competitive Advantage
A robust and reliable supply chain enables faster response times, better product quality, and higher customer satisfaction — key drivers of long-term success.
Production Capacity Assessment
Gain valuable insights into a supplier’s production capability and scalability to ensure they can meet both current and future demand without bottlenecks.
By conducting supplier audits with Topway, you strengthen your supply chain, protect your brand, and gain the confidence to grow globally with reliable partners.
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