Fashion Accessories

Quality Assurance and Quality Control for Fashion Accessories

Global Wits Consultancy Services has provided expert quality assurance and quality control services for the fashion accessories industry. Our tailored solutions help manufacturers, brands, and retailers meet international standards and market expectations.

Fashion accessories, including bags, belts, jewelry, watches, and eyewear, require a perfect balance of style, functionality, and durability. Manufacturers face challenges such as fluctuating market trends, compliance with international safety and quality regulations, and the complexities of a global supply chain.

Global Wits Consultancy Services has supported the fashion accessories industry by ensuring that products meet high quality standards. From supplier qualification to final inspections, we help our clients maintain product consistency, avoid costly defects, and strengthen their supply chains. Our services include factory audits, product inspections, social and environmental audits, and ISO certification assistance.

Fashion Accessories Quality Control

The production of fashion accessories often involves multiple materials such as leather, metals, plastics, and textiles, sourced from various suppliers. This complexity increases the risk of defects, including material inconsistencies, poor craftsmanship, incorrect assembly, and non-compliant labeling.

During a quality control inspection for fashion accessories, Global Wits Consultancy Services evaluates:

• Product Quantity and Packaging: Ensuring items are properly packaged to prevent damage during transit.
• Material and Craftsmanship: Verifying material quality, stitching, finishing, and durability.
• Marking and Labeling: Checking compliance with legal regulations and brand guidelines.
• Functional Testing: Ensuring functionality and reliability of items like zippers, clasps, and buckles.
• Measurements: Verifying size and dimensions for items such as belts, watches, and bags.

Social Compliance in Fashion Accessories Manufacturing

The fashion accessories industry often relies on global production networks where labor laws and standards vary. Issues like unsafe working conditions, child labor, and wage violations are common risks that can damage a brand’s reputation.

Global Wits Consultancy Services’s social audits help verify compliance with ethical labor practices and industry standards, including ESG, SA8000, SMETA, BSCI, and WRAP. Our audits identify areas of non-compliance and provide actionable recommendations for improvement.

Environmental Compliance

Sustainability has become a key focus for the fashion accessories industry. Many traditional production methods involve harmful chemicals, excessive water usage, and waste generation, contributing to environmental degradation. Global Wits Consultancy Services supports companies in achieving environmental compliance by providing services such as:

• ISO 14001 Audits: Conducting gap analyses, certification preparation, and system implementation.
• Supplier Audits: Verifying that suppliers adhere to environmental regulations.

Applications for Fashion Accessories Quality Assurance

Global Wits Consultancy Services’s QA and QC solutions are designed to ensure high standards across various fashion accessory categories, including:

• Handbags and purses
• Belts and wallets
• Jewelry and watches
• Eyewear (sunglasses, prescription glasses, etc.)
• Scarves, gloves, and other wearable accessories

Our expertise and global presence allow us to deliver reliable quality assurance solutions, helping you protect your brand and satisfy your customers.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control for Fashion Accessories

Explore our range of supplier audits and third-party quality inspections for the eyewear industry below:

Manufacturing Audits & Advisory Services

Take advantage of our end-to-end comprehensive approach to improve supply chain performance for accessories with the following quality solutions:

• Process Improvement
• Manufacturing Process Audits
• Production Capacity Analysis (Run & Rate)
• Quality Investigation (root cause investigation of a defective product)
• Root Cause Analysis
• Corrective Action Follow-Up
• Process Failure Mode Effects Analysis (PFMEA)
• Continuous Improvement

Global Wits Consultancy Services is a global quality assurance company that offers manufacturing process audit solutions across five continents. We help qualify suppliers, validate production line processes, and investigate the root causes of defects.

In our experience, the quality performance of a good factory varies by production lines due to multiple factors such as people, equipment, materials, methods, production environment, and a plethora of other factors.

Global Wits Consultancy Services’s Manufacturing Process Audit focuses on assessing the specific production line that is or will be producing your product. The assessment will assess the quality practice of a product from incoming material, through to every single stage of the production process, including material handling, in-process quality control activities, outgoing QA, and warehousing.

The outcome of the Manufacturing Process Audit is a thorough manufacturing audit report which includes a risk-based process control analysis of the factory. The report consists of Global Wits Consultancy Services’s risk recommendations, on-site observations, performance scores, and high-resolution photos. The report will be used by supply chain and quality professionals to make better-informed decisions about the finer details of their supplier for factory performance.

Supplier and Factory audits

Global Wits Consultancy Services supports the fashion industry with factory audit solutions such as:

• Supplier Verification
• Supplier Quality Audits
• ISO 9001 Quality System Audits
• ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Audits
• ISO 45001 Management Systems of Occupational Health and Safety Audits
• QHSE Audits
• Social Compliance Audits: ESG SA8000, WRAP, SMETA, BSCI
• Supply Chain Security Audits
• Combined Audits

Factory and supplier audits are systematic evaluations conducted to assess manufacturers’ or suppliers’ quality management systems, operational capabilities, and compliance levels.

Global Wits Consultancy Services offers tailored factory and supplier audit services. As a trusted partner, Global Wits Consultancy Services supports businesses that need to:

• Verify the reliability and capabilities of new suppliers
• Ensure supplier compliance with standards and industry best practices
• Prepare a factory for a certification audit or maintain existing certification
• Meet client compliance requirements
• Identify non-compliance issues and implement corrective and preventive actions
• Improve factory manufacturing performance to achieve quality excellence

Quality Inspection Services

Our range of third-party inspections for fashion accessories includes the following:

• First-Article Inspections (FAI) are performed prior to mass production. Product properties are measured and compared to specifications to verify quality matches.
• In-Process Inspections (IPI) ensure the processes and techniques used to manufacture products are followed.
• Pre-Shipment Inspections (PSI) verify conformity to specifications before shipping. Inspectors evaluate workmanship, functionality, packaging, labeling, and other criteria as required.
• Container Loading Supervision (CLS) ensures that proper methods are employed during product loading, and counts are verified on-site.
• Sorting and rework services inspect production and detect quality issues or perform rework operations.

or third-party quality inspection services, Global Wits Consultancy Services recommends the International Inspection Standard ANSI Z.1.4-2003 (ANSI Sampling Table) to determine the number of units that will be randomly selected for evaluation.

Samples are checked against a detailed inspection plan for appearance, applicable functionality, packaging integrity, workmanship, and the client’s specific requirements. Discovered defects are classified as major, minor, or critical depending on the inspection plan. We have no concern to follow our customer’s QC standards, procedures, and documentation.

Global Wits Consultancy Services’s quality control inspection services apply to all industries and are tailored to the requirements of each project. From 100% to AQL-based inspections, our solutions cover the entire spectrum of quality inspections and include First Article Inspections (FAI), In-Process Inspections (DUPRO), Pre-Shipment Inspections (PSI), and Container Loading Supervision (CLS).

Our product inspection reports and results with digital photos are delivered to our clients within 24 hours of the service through our secure online client center so that product shipments can be quickly authorized.

Advantages of QC Inspections

1. Avoid Costly Product Defect and Shipment Delays: Quality control (QC) inspections minimize the number of costly defects by detecting non-conformances throughout the production cycle before it is too late.

2. Identify or Explore Corrective Actions: Product quality inspection services help companies determine the overall quality of their order, and determine the need to issue corrective actions before any products leave the factory.

3. Protect Brand and Reputation: Sub-standard products result in customer complaints and damage brand reputation. Third-party product quality inspections help ensure consistent customer satisfaction and maintain brand integrity.

Our Range of Third-Party Quality Inspection Services

Quality and purchasing departments demand that their suppliers meet high product quality specifications. As a global third-party inspection company, Global Wits Consultancy Services offers quality solutions throughout the entire production cycle. This allows our customers to identify defects, ensure product quality, and reduce the cost of poor quality.

Global Wits Consultancy Services’s local quality control inspectors and quality consultants work in partnership with our clients and are deployed accordingly to the project requirements and their specialization. Our team includes specialized quality inspectors in textile, footwear, furniture, medical devices, electrical, electronics, automotive, mechatronics, mechanical, welding, coating, painting, piping, and more.

Our range of quality control inspection services include:

• First-Article Inspections (FAI): As a global third-party inspection company, Global Wits Consultancy Services inspects first-article samples prior to volume production. This inspection in quality verifies that product specifications are being met and avoids unnecessary reengineering work later.
• In-Process Inspections (IPI/DUPRO): An in-process QC inspection, also called: During Production inspection, evaluates random samples from production lots when the process is circa 20-30% complete. This confirms the product quality and allows any necessary changes to be addressed early on, reducing rework time and costs.
• Pre-Shipment Inspections (PSI): During a pre-shipment inspection, our engineers verify that finished goods conform to the most stringent specifications. A pre-shipment inspection (PSI) generally occurs when production is 100% complete and packaging is 80% complete. For example, if an automotive product or auto part inspection is required, we would request the specifications and golden samples in advance. These would then be used to ascertain the quality of the products produced at the supplier. Pre-shipment inspections are also known as pre-dispatch inspections.
• Container Loading Supervision (CLS): Global Wits Consultancy Services ensures that proper methods are employed during product loading, and we verify counts on-site. Products conformance to international standards will also be verified.

Supplier Management

Global Wits Consultancy Services’s Supplier Management Solutions enhance compliance and performance of the entire supplier portfolio by:

• Performing an on-site risk assessment
• Establishing a corrective action plan
• Verifying corrective action implementation through detailed follow-up activities
• Scheduling subsequent annual visits based on supplier risk level
• Providing a supplier portfolio dashboard and performance analysis

Our supplier management team will create a customized checklist that meets even the most exacting requirements. The supplier management service is particularly suitable for small QA teams with a large supplier base across the globe. Global Wits Consultancy Services assists these teams in investigating and resolving compliance and quality issues in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Buyers, procurement managers and quality managers play a vital role in ensuring supplier quality. This encompasses proactive performance monitoring to identify and mitigate costly risks and errors.

Global Wits Consultancy Services offers a robust set of services to ensure supplier quality, which we call the Supplier Management Toolkit. The toolkit is designed to help anyone managing supplier quality to navigate the challenges of meeting supplier compliance and quality standards and delivering quality products.

Our stage-based Sourcing Lifecycle applies to virtually any product or component, guiding you from new product development to outgoing QC and shipment.

Below, we outline each stage of the sourcing journey and highlight the common risks and challenges faced in supplier management, helping you safeguard your supply chain and uphold your brand’s reputation.

Development & Planning;

 1. New Product Development

New product development lays the foundation for strategic sourcing. Prototyping is crucial to validate that the supplier understands the client’s requirements.

Global Wits Consultancy Services inspections validate the new parts while our supplier development services align quality expectations with suppliers and strengthen their ability to meet quality requirements and reduce time to market.

Global Wits Consultancy Services’s Quality Solutions:

 First Article Inspection (FAI)
 Supplier Development Services
 Resident Supplier Quality Resourcing

Supplier Risks & Challenges:

 Poor communication of technical details between buyers and factories
 Misalignment of product specifications and critical design requirements among buyers, suppliers, and factory production teams
 Inadequate consideration of advanced product quality planning
 Challenges when transitioning from prototype suppliers to mass-manufacturing suppliers
 Misalignment on design and engineering revisions

 2. Supplier Selection

Once the component specifications are defined, the procurement department identifies a list of suitable suppliers that can potentially meet their capability, cost, capacity, and quality requirements.

Global Wits Consultancy Services offers a range of supplier due diligence and supplier evaluation support. Our experts visit suppliers to assess their capabilities, mitigate the risk of scams, overpromises, and miscommunication, and validate their credentials, trustworthiness, and financial stability.

Global Wits Consultancy Services’s Quality Solutions:

 Supplier Quality Audits
 QHSE Audits
 ESG Audits
 Onsite Supplier Verification
 Financial Credit Check

Supplier Risks & Challenges:

 Lack of experience and due diligence in new supplier region
 Communication challenges
 Concern about supplier scams
 Low confidence supplier’s trustworthiness
 Concerns over supplier’s financial viability

 3. Supplier Qualification

A world-class organization usually has a comprehensive supplier qualification program to identify and mitigate the risks associated with quality, safety, on-time delivery, cost, and compliance.

Global Wits Consultancy Services establishes a global audit program to systematically onboard new suppliers, categorize their risk levels, and establish a reaction plan based on the supplier’s performance on quality systems, environmental management, and social and ethical compliance.

Global Wits Consultancy Services’s Quality Solutions:

 Global Supplier Audit Programs
 Supplier Quality Audit for Potential Suppliers
 Quality Management System Audit
 Social & Ethical Audits
 Supply Chain Security Audit
 Environmental Audit

Supplier Risks & Challenges:

 Suppliers are not as capable as they initially claimed
 Supplier lacks effective and systematic quality assurance practice
 Supplier is ISO 9001 certified, but the underlying principles are not implemented in practice
 Mass production quality does not match prototype quality
 Buyers want to sell to big retailers, but their suppliers do not yet comply with the retailer’s supplier code of conduct
 Supplier violation on labor law, ethical and environmental compliances
 Goods held in customs due to supply chain security malpractice

 4. Pre-Production Validation

Before commencing volume production, it is crucial to validate that the equipment, staffing, production methods, capacity, and quality control plan are in place for each product line.

Global Wits Consultancy Services offers on-site quality support to prevent and reduce the potential cost of poor quality (COPQ) and risk, ensuring a smooth transition from product development to mass production.

Global Wits Consultancy Services’s Quality Solutions:

 Engineering Build (EB) and Quality Build (QB) Audit
 First Article Inspection (FAI)
 APQP/PPAP Audit
 Manufacturing Process Audit 
 Resident Supplier Quality Resourcing

Supplier Risks & Challenges:

 Factory not ready for mass production
 Shipment delays due to critical failure, poor quality, and resource constraints
 An exponential increase in defective products
 Product recall
 High Cost of Poor Quality
 An exponential increase in the cost of change after mass production commences

Production & Delivery

 5. Production Planning

Production planning ensures that the supplier has sufficient raw materials, components, and staff and that other outsourced processes meet the specified schedule.

Global Wits Consultancy Services offers assistance in timely supplier communication, onsite visits, and daily or weekly monitoring reports. This minimizes the risks of delays from ineffective procurement planning, staff shortages, or sub-supplier mismanagement.

Global Wits Consultancy Services’s Quality Solutions:

 Order Expediting
 Resident Supplier Quality Resourcing

Supplier Risks & Challenges:

 Production delay due to poor material procurement planning
 Production delay due to inadequate production staffing
 Poor sub-supplier management

 6. Incoming Quality Control

Incoming inspection reflects a factory's commitment to quality control from the outset. Understanding how a factory manages its incoming material and its supply chain is a very good indication of its commitment to quality.

Global Wits Consultancy Services quality solutions address issues such as defect acceptance, material substitutions, and component decay due to poor practices or storage conditions.

Global Wits Consultancy Services’s Quality Solutions:

 Incoming Inspection
 In-Process Inspection
 Manufacturing Process Audit 

Supplier Risks & Challenges:

 The factory does not manage the quality of its supply chain or is poor at supplier management
 Suppliers turn a blind eye to defective components during incoming and still use them for production and assembly
 Using sub-standard material or components (e.g., lower-quality fabric than required)
 Substituting lower-cost alternatives for product components (e.g., cheaper electronic components in a mobile phone)
 “Quality fade” where suppliers make small, gradual substitutions in materials and components over time
 Bulk material ordered by the supplier degrades over time due to poor storage conditions

 7. Production and Assembly

Many things can go wrong during mass production due to machine failure, lack of process control, and operator mistakes. While it is normal for defects to occur, these defects must be detected and contained.

Global Wits Consultancy Services offers a range of support to verify control plan adherence, early defect detection, quality improvement, and issue resolution through monitoring, investigations, and CAPA validation.

Global Wits Consultancy Services’s Quality Solutions:

 First Article Inspection (FAI)
 In-Process Inspection
 Manufacturing Process Improvement
 Quality/Root Cause Investigation (8D)
 CAPA Verification
 Order Expediting
 End-Of-Line Testing & inspection
 Resident Supplier Quality Resourcing

Supplier Risks & Challenges:

 Operators are not producing according to the production control plan
 Supplier is under pressure to ship goods, turning a blind eye to defective components
 Lack of quality staff to enforce quality control
 Poor control of re-worked material/product
 Mistakes made by temporary, untrained staff/operators
 Communication breakdown when the supplier is under pressure

 8. Outgoing QC & Shipping

The smallest aesthetic defect on the packaging or missing components can lead to customer returns, while a misplaced label may result in compliance issues. Outgoing Quality Control is the last line of defense before products are properly loaded into containers for shipment.

Global Wits Consultancy Services offers pre-shipment inspections and end-of-line testing to ensure your products meet your quality requirements and reduce the chance of returns or re-work.

Global Wits Consultancy Services’s Quality Solutions:

 Manufacturing Process Audit
 Poka-Yoke Implementation
 Pre-Shipment Inspection
 End-Of-Line Testing & inspection
 Container Loading Supervision
 C-TPAT Audit

Supplier Risks & Challenges:

 Products are poorly packaged
 Human mistakes and missing components lead to customer returns
 Wrong labeling leads to compliance issues and significant re-work
 Rough handling of goods during container loading by the factory or outsourced warehouse, leading to damaged product
 Poor container loading leads to product damage during transit

Why Global Wits Consultancy Services?

Partnership

Global Wits Consultancy Services genuinely sees your company and your suppliers as partners looking for growth and improvement. We don’t just give pass/fail results. We provide professional recommendations, facilitation, and performance management to achieve the desired results.

Quality Dashboard

Global Wits Consultancy Services’s Quality Dashboard provides a holistic dashboard view of your supplier portfolio including data analytics to better understand and determine the next action required at your supplier.

Experience & Expertise

Global Wits Consultancy Services has overseen successful supplier transformation projects helping companies from the packaging industry achieve their quality goals.

Global Presence

Global Wits Consultancy Services has agile teams of inspectors and auditors a lot of countries ready to meet your quality assurance needs whether it’s a packaging quality inspection or a comprehensive factory audit.