What is an Initial Production Check (IPC)?
An IPC is an on-site product inspection performed from before your production begins up until 20% has been completed.
In an IPC inspection, inspectors check the quality of raw materials and the first items produced in a production run. They are used to identify quality issues early on in production and to prevent them from causing bigger issues further down the track.
Why Perform an Initial Production Check (IPC)?
An Initial Production Check (IPC) is the first critical step to ensuring consistent product quality and smooth manufacturing. Conducting an IPC provides multiple benefits, including:
Early Detection of Quality Issues: Identify and resolve potential problems before mass production begins.
Enforcement of Quality Standards: Ensure your brand’s quality requirements are clearly understood and properly implemented from the start.
Verification of Raw Materials: Confirm that all raw materials and components meet your specifications before use.
Prevention of Costly Rework: Minimize the risk of defective products and avoid expensive corrections later in the production process.
Smooth Production Setup: Verify that the factory has correctly set up machines, processes, and assembly lines according to your expectations.
Confidence in Production Quality: Gain peace of mind knowing that your product quality is under control right from the beginning.
Key Checks Performed During an IPC
During an Initial Production Check (IPC), ABS inspectors perform a series of detailed evaluations to ensure your production starts on the right track.
Our inspectors randomly select product samples using the ANSI/ASQ Z1.4-2008 sampling standard. The inspection process is fully customizable — clients can choose from ABS’s extensive library of product-specific checklists or create their own to meet unique requirements.
A typical ABS IPC inspection includes:
Raw Material Verification: Quality, quantity, and storage conditions.
Production Process Review: Setup, organization, and compliance with manufacturing procedures.
Product Specifications Check: Dimensions, colors, style, construction, and workmanship.
Artwork & Label Review: Verification of design accuracy, fonts, spelling, placement, and labeling (main, care, size, and tags).
Packing & Packaging Inspection: Unit, inner, and outer packing; export carton dimensions, weights, and shipping marks.
With these comprehensive checks, ABS helps ensure your production meets all specifications and prevents costly issues later in the process.
What Happens After an IPC Is Completed?
Once the Initial Production Check (IPC) is complete, clients receive a comprehensive inspection report — delivered on the same day as the inspection.
The report includes:
A clear summary of inspection findings
Detailed photos highlighting any defects or non-conformities
An overall pass/fail result based on the agreed quality standards
While an IPC ensures a strong start to your production, it should not be your only quality checkpoint. To guarantee consistent product quality through to shipment, we recommend combining your IPC with a Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) — which verifies the finished goods before dispatch.
About Us
ABS Quality Inspection Services, dealing to provide inspection services across India & Overseas. We are performing IPC, DUPRO, FRI, PM, CLC services for all kinds of product categories such as SL, HL, E n E, etc.
At ABS, we are committed to delivering detailed inspection reports on the same day of the inspection, ensuring that our clients receive timely and accurate insights to make informed business decisions.