Don’t Overlook Third-Party Vendors in Planning for a Recall
09-02-2010
By Mike Rozembajgier
In the past month, high-profile technology recalls have damaged the reputations of two familiar brand names – Blackberry and Garmin – because of safety problems caused by third-party suppliers. In both cases, batteries supplied by external vendors were found to cause devices to overheat, placing consumers in danger. These examples serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of thoroughly vetting external suppliers and ensuring their quality control standards are just as strict as your own.
In both of these cases, the product itself was safe and reliable; simply replacing the battery proved sufficient to mitigate the danger to consumers. Unfortunately, that still required embarrassing high-profile recalls for Blackberry and Garmin at a time when the public is particularly sensitive to recall situations.
No matter how well your company’s own manufacturing and safety processes comply with federal regulations and requirements, you still have to make sure that your suppliers meet the same quality standards. New suppliers should always be thoroughly vetted to identify any past problems with their safety record. If possible, an in-person walk-through of the plant can reassure you that there are no potential red flags. Current existing suppliers are no different. You should regularly make sure that their safety processes are still up to par and that their products continue to be safe for consumers.
Full compliance and an unfailing commitment to safety don’t just apply to what happens in your own plants. Don’t be afraid to require safety and quality standards of your suppliers that go beyond those mandated by law. This will not only protect your company’s reputation and limit legal liability, but – more important – it will help guarantee the safety of your customers.
No matter what the industry – whether food ingredient suppliers or technology component manufacturers – the importance of qualifying all parts of your product cannot be overstated. If a product has your name on it, you are responsible for its safety – in the eyes of regulators, plaintiff’s lawyers, and the public. In the end, a recall caused by a third-party supplier is still seen by the public as a recall of your product.
Stericycle ExpertRECALL™ is the industry leader in recall logistics and regulatory compliance for consumer product, pharmaceutical, medical device, juvenile product, and food and beverage recalls. ExpertRECALL’s professionals are experts in recall management who can help you streamline the entire product recall process.
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