Buyer Guide
LED Supplier Factory Audit Checklist
What to inspect on a one-day factory audit.
1. Why it matters
A one-day factory audit answers a single question: can this supplier actually make my product, at my quality, at my volume — repeatedly? It separates a real production line from a showroom or a middleman renting photos, and it is the cheapest insurance in cross-border sourcing.
Audit capability and consistency, not tidiness — look for process control, records and traceability.
2. What to inspect on site
- SMT lines and ageing/burn-in racks — capacity vs your volume.
- Incoming material store: LED reels, drivers, batch labels and BOM control.
- In-line test stations: photometric, HiPot, function, first-article records.
- Calibration tags on test gear (integrating sphere, HiPot tester).
- Finished-goods QC area and non-conforming quarantine.
3. Documents that prove a system
| Document | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001 + internal audit records | A maintained quality system, not just a cert |
| LM-80 / LM-79 test reports | Real photometric/lifetime testing |
| Traceability log (batch → order) | Can isolate a defect batch |
| Supplier list for LEDs/drivers | Component grade and consistency |
4. Red flags
- No in-line testing, or test gear with no valid calibration.
- Cannot show the running order matching your product family.
- Office address only; "factory" visits blocked or postponed.
- No batch traceability — a defect cannot be contained.
5. Checklist
- Confirm SMT/ageing capacity against your peak volume
- Check calibration tags on all test equipment
- Review first-article and traceability records
- Ask to see an order in production for your product type
- Photograph lines, stores and QC areas with the date
6. FAQ
Remote/video audit instead of visiting?
A live video walkthrough with the current date is a reasonable first filter and far better than nothing. For large or safety-critical orders, a third-party on-site audit (a few hundred dollars) is still the standard.
Does ISO 9001 guarantee quality?
No — it certifies that a process exists, not that your specific product meets spec. Pair the certificate with real test reports and a first-article approval for your SKU.