What happens if a batch of my order fails my inspection?
It does not ship. That is the position we work to, and it is only enforceable because the acceptance standard is written down before production starts — which is also the only way you can hold anyone to it. The acceptance standard is set from your approved sample and the specification you approved, so the test you run on delivery is the test the order was quoted against. Where a batch does fail, the goods stay on our side of the handover until the discrepancy is closed, and the cause is established before anything is reworked or replaced. What we will not do is argue that a defect is within tolerance when the specification says otherwise.
The part that decides everything: the acceptance standard
Most inspection disputes are already settled before production — either in the approved sample or in the written specification. If neither exists, there is nothing to test against and any result is arguable.
- The approved sample, held as the reference for colour, print, capacity and finish.
- The written specification: capacity, NAND grade and source, controller, interface speed, test method and pass criteria.
- The inspection plan agreed for the batch — what is tested, how many units, and by whom.
The three failures that come back most often
Each has a different cause, and each is preventable at the stage where it is introduced.
| Failure | Most common cause | Where it is caught |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity below the ordered figure | Lower-grade or fewer dies than specified | Capacity write-and-read-back before packing |
| Speed below the quoted class | Controller or interface not matched to the claim | Read/write verification on test stations |
| Branding off-register or wrong colour | Artwork not signed off, or no reference sample held | Appearance and packaging inspection |
If a batch fails, this is what happens
The sequence matters: establish the fact before deciding the remedy, otherwise the remedy is guesswork and the same defect returns in the next batch.
- The goods are held and not shipped while the discrepancy is established.
- A random sample is re-tested against the written standard, not re-tested selectively.
- The cause is identified — specification, sourcing or process — before any rework is agreed.
- The remedy is agreed in writing: rework, replacement, or a price adjustment against the specification.
- The same configuration is then held for repeat batches, so the correction does not quietly revert.
What to do if you are holding a failed batch
Test a random sample from the batch rather than a unit that failed visually. One failure is a signal about the batch; it is not a reliable picture of it.
Keep the failing units and the approved sample together. The comparison is what settles the question.
Send us the test output, the standard it was measured against and the batch reference. We can then work from the evidence rather than from a description of the problem.
Sources
- Quality control at WINTEL
- How we test flash memory
- How to specify a TF card order
- Repeat orders — holding a batch consistent
- Request a quote
Figures quoted on this page are from the published reporting listed above. Where a number is an estimate rather than a published figure, it is described as approximate.
Frequently asked questions
Who decides whether a batch passed?
The acceptance standard agreed before production decides it. If you have a written standard and an approved sample, the test result is the answer.
Can we agree a sampling plan in advance?
Yes, and it is worth doing. Agree what percentage is tested, which tests are run and what happens at the pass/fail threshold, while both sides are still neutral about the result.
Do you test every unit?
We run capacity and read/write verification on the line, and agree the sampling plan for the batch with the buyer. From our side, what is tested is stated in the quotation rather than implied.
What if a failure is only cosmetic?
It is still a failure if the approved sample says otherwise. Cosmetic defects on printed or branded goods are the most common reason a batch is held, and they are settled against the sample.
Working on a specification?
Send us the product type, capacity, quantity and target date. We reply to business enquiries within 1 business day.
Request a quote