Factory Production Control

How to prepare an FPC certification application

1. Identify the product family, intended use, manufacturing sites and destination market.
2. Check the applicable specification and assessment route using the European Commission’s technical specifications guidance. Requirements change by product family during the CPR transition.
3. Document the production control plan, responsibilities, inspection points and acceptance criteria.
4. Gather test and inspection records, equipment checks, traceability evidence and records of corrective action.
5. Confirm the assessment body’s role and product scope, then agree the assessment, findings and decision process.

Which records should be ready?

For an initial scope discussion, prepare product descriptions, process flow, factory addresses, relevant specifications and existing test reports. A useful working file also links each control point to the responsible person, method, frequency, acceptance criterion and retained result.

For example, trace one batch from its incoming material check through production and final inspection. Record how a failed result is identified, investigated and prevented from reaching the customer. This is an illustration of traceability, not a universal test plan.

What affects the price and lead time?

Share the number of product families and factories, process complexity, available evidence, requested assessment route and target date. Missing test results, incomplete production records or unresolved findings can change the preparation and assessment schedule. The quotation should distinguish assessment work, any testing, travel and subsequent follow-up.

What should be checked before accepting a result?

Compare the manufacturer’s name, factory address, product scope, applicable specification and current status with the actual application. Read the issuing body’s scope and the conditions attached to its result. Keep manufacturer duties separate from the assessment body’s decision.

The European Commission explains manufacturer responsibilities and declaration and CE marking requirements. Use the provisions applicable to your product and transition route.

Discuss the scope with QRS

Send your product family, factory locations, destination market and existing reports. QRS will review the requested scope before confirming its role and quotation. For the next step, read the FPC application and decision guide or share your application details.