Factory Audit vs Lab Test: What Brands Actually Check When They Visit Your Factory
Two Different Visits, Two Different Purposes
When a brand says they are “sending someone to your factory,” it can mean one of two very different things: a factory audit or a product testing inspection. Pakistani factories frequently confuse the two, with consequences that range from wasted preparation time to outright failure. A factory audit assesses how you make your product — your systems, documentation, processes, and people. A product test or inspection assesses what you made — the physical and chemical properties of the finished article. Both are required for sustained EU brand relationships, but they require entirely different preparation.
What Happens During a Factory Audit
A social or technical factory audit typically lasts one full day at your facility. The auditor follows a structured protocol (SMETA, BSCI, WRAP, or a brand-proprietary checklist) and reviews the following areas. Understanding what auditors look for — and where Pakistani factories most commonly fail — is the first step to passing.
Auditors request 3–6 months of attendance records, payroll ledgers, and overtime records. They cross-reference declared working hours with power consumption data, production records, and worker interviews. Discrepancies between paper records and interviews are the single most common cause of audit failure in Pakistan.
All chemicals must have current SDS (Safety Data Sheets) stored at point of use. Chemicals must be stored in designated areas with spill containment. Incompatible chemicals must be separated. Missing SDS for even one chemical is flagged as a finding.
Fire extinguishers must be within date, accessible, and understood by workers. Emergency exits must be unobstructed, clearly signed, and known to all staff (tested via worker interviews). Blocked exits are an immediate critical finding requiring corrective action before shipment.
Brands require disclosure of any sub-contracted operations. Unauthorised sub-contracting — particularly for embroidery, printing, or washing — is treated as a critical violation by most brands and can result in immediate deactivation from the approved supplier list.
Lab Test vs Factory Audit: Quick Reference
| Factor | Factory Audit | Lab Test / PSI |
|---|---|---|
| Who Conducts It | Brand auditor or third-party (SGS, Bureau Veritas) | ILAC-accredited lab (Tti) |
| What Is Assessed | Factory systems, records, people, conditions | Physical, mechanical, chemical properties of product |
| How Often | Annually or per new supplier approval | Per season or per order |
| Typical Duration | 1 full day on-site | 5–10 working days (off-site) |
| Failure Consequence | CAP issued; potential supplier suspension | Order hold; product recall risk |
Further Reading
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