AFTER-SALES CLAIMS · October 21, 2026
Supplier Disputes Inspection Results: Agree a Reinspection Protocol
When a supplier disputes an inspection finding, reconcile the specification, sample identity and method before commissioning another inspection. Agree how the new result will be reviewed.
Make the disagreement specific
Ask the supplier to identify the finding it disputes and its supporting evidence. Compare the purchase specification revision, inspection instruction, sample identifiers, photographs and measurement method. Separate disagreement about a result from disagreement about the acceptance requirement.
Preserve the original report and affected samples where practical. Record their storage and handling so that later checks do not rely on unidentified or altered items. Avoid overwriting the first finding when new information arrives.
Agree the reinspection protocol
Document the lot and quantity covered, sample-selection method, checks, equipment or method requirements, acceptance criteria and responsible reviewer. The competent inspection or technical party should determine a suitable protocol for the product and issue.
Confirm who arranges access, who observes, who pays initially and how costs will be reviewed. State what happens if the new result differs from the first report. A second inspection does not automatically decide liability or erase the first record.
Illustrative example
A supplier disputes a dimension recorded against drawing revision B and says production followed revision C. First establish which revision the parties approved and which units were inspected. Repeating the measurement without resolving the drawing reference may reproduce the disagreement.
Once the applicable requirement is established, record the agreed check and maintain traceability between the inspected samples and production lot. Do not substitute a newly selected good sample for the disputed sample without recording that difference.
Resolve and follow through
Attach the new report to the original case and record the authorised disposition: acceptance, additional review, rework or another agreed action. Set a verification step for corrective work and keep the claim open until the agreed evidence is available.
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