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GIS Inspection (General Inspection Service) is a global provider in home appliances quality control inspection services. For total quality assurance across safety, functionality, and performance, GIS has the expertise to quickly bring household appliances to global markets.
There is a variety of household appliances, each type requires a comprehensive inspection checklist to ensure the quality, function, and endurance are working as expected by the final customer. Our highly experienced team of inspectors is well-versed with the home appliances quality control standards.
At GIS Inspection, we ensure product quality and functionality, identify issues, provide detailed report, reducing returns and product recalls. To ensure your home appliance products are safe and compliant, book a home appliance inspection service today.
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Home Appliances Quality Control Inspection and Quality Assurance
“There were more than 2.8 million appliances recalled in 2024, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which counts appliances among the thousands of products it regulates. And European home appliances product recalls reached unprecedented high in 2024
These figures underscore the importance of stringent quality control measures and the role of third-party inspections in the home appliance industry to ensure consumer safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
Home appliances quality control inspection and quality assurance refer to the process of evaluating and verifying the quality, performance, safety, and labeling of household appliances products, including refrigerators & freezers, ovens, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, coffee makers, blenders, toasters, air fryers and more.
GIS Inspection provides assurance to consumers, retailers, and regulatory authorities that home appliances are safe, reliable, and perform as advertised. It also helps buyers to differentiate their products in the market and comply with legal and market access requirements.
The Importance of Home Appliances Third-party Inspection
Conducting third-party quality control (QC) inspections for home appliances is essential to ensure product quality, compliance, and customer satisfaction. Here are the key reasons why third-party inspections are valuable:
1. Ensure Product Quality and Functionality
Identify issues like performance failures, electrical malfunctions, and physical damage before products reach the customer and ensure home appliances operate correctly under normal and extreme conditions. This consistency leads to a trustworthy relationship between the manufacturer and the consumer.
2. Compliance with International Standards
Different regions may have different safety standards for household appliances. Aligning with international QC standards like ISO and ASTM can make products more appealing across different markets. It facilitates compliance with various regional regulations and helps in accessing new markets.
3. Reduce Returns and Product Recalls
High returns and low customer retention due to quality issues can wreak havoc on a business’s bottom line. A strict Homeware and Kitchenware QC safeguards against these economic risks.
5. Enhance Customer Satisfaction
Deliver consistent, high-quality appliances that meet consumer expectation and build trust by offering safe, reliable, and high-performing home appliances. Continuous monitoring and quality improvement reduce costly returns and reputational damage and address potential quality issues before mass shipment.
Regulations and Standards for Home Appliances Quality Control
Home appliances must comply with a range of international regulations and standards to ensure safety, performance, and environmental responsibility. Here’s a breakdown of key regulations and standards across major markets:
IEC Standards for Home Appliances
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) develops global standards for electrical and electronic devices, including home appliances.
Key IEC Standards for Home Appliances:
- IEC 60335 Series: Safety of household and similar electrical appliances
- IEC 60335-1: General requirements for appliance safety
- IEC 60335-2- (Part 2 series): Specific requirements for different appliances (e.g., washing machines, refrigerators)
- IEC 61000 Series: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards
- IEC 62368-1: Safety of audio/video, IT, and communication technology equipment
- IEC 60730: Automatic electrical controls for household appliances
Home Appliances Regulations and Standards in the EU
Home appliances sold in the EU must meet strict safety, energy efficiency, and environmental standards.
Key EU Directives and Regulations:
General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) (EU) 2023/988:
Ensures all consumer products (including home appliances) are safe for use.
- Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EU:
- Applies to appliances operating between 50V-1000V AC and 75V-1500V DC.
- Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive 2014/30/EU:
- Ensures home appliances do not cause or suffer from electromagnetic interference.
- Energy-Related Products (ErP) Directive 2009/125/EC:
- Regulates energy efficiency and ecological design of household appliances.
- Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive 2011/65/EU:
- Limits hazardous substances (e.g., lead, mercury) in electrical equipment.
CE Marking:
All compliant products must require CE marking before they can be sold in the EU. CE marking indicates that a product has been assessed by the manufacturer and deemed to meet EU safety, health and environmental protection requirements. It is required for products manufactured anywhere in the world that are then marketed in the EU.
Home Appliances Requirements in the US
All electrical appliances, including cooking equipment, dishwashers, refrigerators, and refrigerated drinking water coolers, manufactured or imported to the United States are subject to product regulations, safety standards, labeling, documentation, and testing requirements. Failing to ensure compliance with the applicable requirements can result in fines or a recall.
FCC Certificate
Any Electronic products marketed or sold in the US must have Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval. The FCC regulates electronic equipment to protect consumers and prevent radio frequency (RF) interference between digital devices by setting specific limits on the intentional and unintentional radio signals a device can emit.
United States Electrical Product Safety Standards
Electrical product safety standards are voluntary for importers and manufacturers. However, you are liable for any injury or property damage caused by your products. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure product safety before importing kitchen appliances to the United States.
UL Standards
Here are some UL standards that apply to home appliance:
- UL 749 – Household dishwashers
- UL 1082 – Standard for electric coffee makers and brewing-type appliances
- UL 7001- Sustainability standard for household refrigeration appliances
Home Appliances Requirements Japan
Home appliances sold in Japan must meet the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law (DENAN Law).
Key Japanese Standards:
PSE (Product Safety Electrical Appliance & Material): Safety and EMI compliance for household appliances.
JIS Standards: Japanese Industrial Standards aligned with IEC standards.
PSE Mark:
Required for legally selling home appliances in Japan.
Types of Third-party Home Appliances Quality Control Inspection
Performance household appliances quality inspection is a critical stage in the supply chain, ensuring that these essential household items meet the relevant quality standards, safety regulations, and consumer expectations.
Different types of inspections are performed at various stages of the home appliances manufacturing process. These include:
Pre-Production Inspection(PPI)
GIS inspectors onsite will evaluate the first 10%-30% units produced to ensure compliance with necessary criteria, brand specifications, quality requirements which can firmly establish whether the manufacturer will be able to deliver on the promise to produce a quality product using the correct materials and manufacturing process, and orders shipping on time.
During Production Inspection (DUPRO)
The home appliances will be examined for their appearance, construction, and function to ensure that quality requirements and specifications are met. Inspectors identify and rectify any defects, irregularities, or deviations from quality standards that may arise during production.
If issues are identified, inspectors collaborate with manufacturers to promptly implement corrective actions, preventing the production of substandard lighting products.
Pre-Shipment Inspection(PSI)
We will select a random sample of finished home appliances before shipment to ensure all items conform to the established quality criteria and functional requirements. Functionality tests on kitchen appliances and utensils are performed to ensure usability, efficiency, and safety.
Inspectors supervise the packaging process to verify that the household appliances products are adequately protected for transportation. They also ensure proper loading onto shipping containers to prevent damage during transit.
Loading Supervision (LS)
The final but crucial step in the quality control process is properly preparing batches for shipping to destination markets. Loading Supervision (LS) is usually performed at the factory, forwarders warehouse, or port to verify count, confirm load, and seal the container.
Audits for the Home Appliances Industry
Factory Audit: An independent assessment of the manufacturing facility’s capacity, machinery, and workforce to determine if they can meet production demands while maintaining product quality.
Supplier Audit: Checking the company’s legal information, bank information, human resources, export capabilities, and more. The inspectors perform supplier verification audit, evaluating
Essential Home Appliances Inspection Checklist during an onsite Inspection
Home appliances like refrigerators, washer, air conditioners, blenders, toasters, and coffee makers undergo thorough quality assurance inspections to assess their performance, safety features, and overall functionality.
GIS Inspectors check for potential hazards, such as exposed wires, improper grounding, and malfunctioning components to ensure they are free from harmful substances and can withstand regular usage.
A comprehensive pre-shipment quality inspection checklist for home appliances is essential to ensure that all aspects of the product are inspected thoroughly. Here are some key areas to include in GIS quality assurance PSI checklist:
1. Quantity check
GIS inspectors count products and shipping cartons to verify that the correct quantity of an order has been finished which including PO quantity, shipment quantity, packed quantity, unpacked quantity, and unfinished quantity.
2. Workmanship Inspection
The inspector will select a sample size according to the AQL standard, and conduct a visual check for any damages and flaws in workmanship and classify them as major, minor, or critical defects. The household appliances random inspection AQL standard is normally 1.5 for major defects, 4.0 for minor defects.
Read more: How to Use AQL for Quality Control Inspection?
3. Product description, style and color check
GIS Inspection will verify that the products conform to the specifications against PO, photos, and sample.
4. On-site test
The selected sample will undergo rigorous testing to ensure that it functions properly and meets safety standards. The essential tests performed by our inspectors during an onsite inspection of home appliances:
- Hi voltage check
- Earth resistance check
- Basic function check
- Transportation Drop Test
- Power on check
- Internal check for workmanship
- Temperature measurement
- Stability check
- Rub and tape test on Logo
- Product measurement
- Timer function check
- CDF check
- Power consumption check
- Barcode readability check
5. Packaging
GIS inspectors will check the packing method and packing information to ensure that everything is accurate and safe for transportation. Inner and outer packaging are inspected to ensure that they meet client specifications, with results provided in the report.
6. Shipping mark check
Shipping mark check covers key quality aspects that help ensure products are safe, functional, and compliant with industry standards before reaching the market.
Check a Free Sample Report for Home Appliances Inspection
GIS Inspection for you Home Appliances Quality Control
Quality and safety standards set strict requirements for large appliances such as refrigerator, washing machine, dish washers and small appliances used every day in households around the world. A comprehensive third-party quality inspection by a recognized provider ensures, that products meet industry quality expectations and regulatory safety standards.
GIS Inspection(General Inspection Service) is an international third-party quality control inspection company in China. GIS provides provide comprehensive safety and quality assurance services to help you ensure compliance with legislation enforced in multiple global markets. We have set up an inspection network covering China, Vietnam, Malaysia, India.
We conduct all inspections for household appliances as mandated by relevant laws and regulations. Thanks to our many years of experience and our comprehensive know-how, we are the right partner to stand at your side.
GIS only employs full-time inspectors. Our highly trained and experienced bike helmets inspectors are product experts who receive regular training in their field of specialization.
GIS product inspection services ensure that your products match your desired specifications. Contact our home appliances quality assurance experts to customize your inspection requirements.
