Published 18 Jul 2023
What is Packaging Quality Control?
Packaging quality control is the inspection of finished product packaging done to determine whether it passes quality standards before it is approved for the next step in the supply chain. Packaging department managers, quality control officers, and procurement personnel perform packaging quality control inspections upon receiving raw materials, after production, during storage, before transport, and upon distribution to prevent contamination and maintain product quality.
In this article
- What is a Packaging Quality Control Checklist?
- What is the Impact?
- Crucial Checkpoints
- Mobile Packaging Quality Control Tool to Guarantee Quality
- Featured Packaging Quality Control Checklists
What is a Packaging Quality Control Checklist?
A packaging quality control checklist is an assessment tool used to determine if the condition of packaging components, packaged raw materials, or finished product packaging meets quality standards. Suppliers, manufacturers, packaging companies, and retailers should use mobile packaging quality control checklists to mitigate the risks of manufacturing unsafe, low-quality output, and minimize losses on product reworks, recalls, and returns.
What is the Impact?
Without packaging quality control audits, the entire supply chain can be compromised. Suppliers are susceptible to distributing products with incomplete shipping markings, and manufacturers may end up using the wrong materials for production. Packaging quality control officers may be unaware of poor packing practices such as incorrect assortment and missing cushioning materials, incurring avoidable damage to finished products. Ensuring the quality of the packaging is crucial to preventing additional expenses, optimizing business operations, and gaining a reputation for high-quality products.
Crucial Checkpoints
Seeing the big picture of packaging quality control can help suppliers, packaging companies, and manufacturers become more intentional when performing packaging quality control checks. Although it may seem like it plays a minor part in the entire process, consistently ensuring packaging quality safeguards product quality itself. Here are crucial checkpoints in the production process where packaging quality control should be done:
Upon receipt of products or packaging components
Manufacturers should use only the specified raw materials for production. They need to ensure that the delivered products are properly assorted to avoid receiving damaged, missing, or incorrect materials. Packaging companies also need to verify if the components to be used for packaging products such as carton, foil, and wood are properly packed to prevent waste and delays.
After manufacturing or packing products
Individual units start undergoing quality assurance as soon as they enter the production line. Performing packaging quality control for the finished product helps maintain the same high-quality observed during the production and assembly phase. Inspecting the products after packing prepares them for safe storage and transportation while keeping quality intact.
While products are in storage
One of the most overlooked quality control checks is regularly validating the packaging integrity of products awaiting transport in the warehouse. Faulty or deteriorating finished product packaging can cause accidents, incidents, or near misses, especially when moved across pallet racks using forklifts or other lifting equipment.
After packing products for transport
Additional packaging might be required by the courier or logistics team to prevent product damage in transit and ensure its safe delivery. Quality control in this area of the supply chain can also be accomplished through free-fall drop testing. This practice entails intentionally dropping packages on its corners, edges, and surfaces to simulate realistic conditions encountered during shipment.
Mobile Packaging Quality Control Tool to Guarantee Quality
Suppliers, manufacturers, packaging companies, and retailers can build a solid quality foundation for their entire supply chain by using a mobile packaging quality control tool such as SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor). Eliminate packaging issues and budget blowouts with the help of SafetyCulture.
Guarantee the production, packing, storage, and delivery of high-quality products with SafetyCulture, the world’s leading inspection platform. Take advantage of the following benefits when you sign up for free today:
- Use packaging quality control checklists anytime, anywhere, and on any mobile device
- Take photos of finished product packaging damages and annotate images for improved visual reference
- Assign actions with a priority level and due date to rectify damages immediately
- Auto-generate and secure packaging inspection reports in the cloud and access them from wherever you are
- Share packaging audit reports to key personnel with a tap of a finger
Featured Packaging Quality Control Checklists
Packaging Inspection Checklist
A packaging inspection checklist is used by the procurement personnel of suppliers or manufacturers to record the conformity and traceability of products upon receipt. Utilize this pre-existing template to:
- Indicate delivery note information including the purchase order number, as well as the date and time of delivery
- Take photos of pallet labels as evidence
- Assess if the packaging is accepted, according to the correct specification, or if it is on hold
- Contact the QA manager or technical manager if it’s on hold
- Complete the inspection with a digital signature
Packaging Checklist
This packaging checklist is used by the United Dairymen of Arizona to verify the proper functionality of finished product packaging though their quality check procedures. As a milk marketing cooperative with a modern manufacturing facility that operates 24/7, they use this finished packaging checklist for churn, bulk tote, sapac (high capacity packaging machinery), avapac 1200 (limited intervention packing system), and lactose quality check.
Packaging Audit Checklist
This packaging audit checklist is used by GMP Consulting Services, Inc. to assess the compliance qualification of their clients. As experts in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory compliance, they use this checklist to audit the receiving, packaging, powder filling, liquid filling, and maintenance departments, facility and grounds, warehouse, quality control laboratory, quality assurance procedures, and documentation of manufacturers.
Packaging Report Template
A packaging report template is used by packaging personnel to ensure proper packing methods before shipping finished products. Use this checklist to specify the gross and net product weights, sales packaging weight, and transport packaging weight. Document the quantity of sales units, all different sales packaging materials, and more with photo evidence and automatically generate and share comprehensive packaging reports upon completion.
