Quality Control Services in China: Protect Your Supply Chain and Ensure Compliance
China is a strategic sourcing market and an increasingly important consumer market for global brands. Without reliable on-the-ground oversight, quality and compliance risks remain high. Inconsistent suppliers and complex regulations can quickly lead to defects, delays, and costly recalls. Failing local market surveillance can result in serious penalties. Independent quality control is essential to protect your supply chain and meet customer expectations.
With offices and labs across China and Hong Kong, QIMA delivers product inspections, lab testing and supplier audits in all regions of China to international standards. Through our partnership with UTS, we also offer local GB standard testing for brands selling products directly in the Chinese market — helping you ensure product quality, avoid supply chain disruptions and protect your brand reputation.
What We Help You Achieve
Reduce recalls by identifying defects before shipment
Ensure compliance with international standards (ISO, ASTM, EN)
Protect brand reputation through independent third-party validation
Streamline supply chain with real-time reporting
Importance of Quality Control in China
Quality control is vital for ensuring your products meet customer expectations and in-house and regulatory standards. For international brands selling into the Chinese market, this means complying with both international standards and China's local GB requirements. Product inspections, auditing, and lab testing help you ensure your products meet all applicable standards before they reach Chinese consumers.
If you are selling products in China or manufacturing here, it's important to have a trusted third-party evaluate your products and processes to ensure quality and compliance remain consistent. Leverage our inspections, best-in-class audits and local GB testing to meet the quality control needs of every step in your compliance journey. The QIMA online platform makes ordering and receiving reports simple and easy, no matter the service you need.
Supplier Audits in China
Our highly qualified auditors can conduct manufacturing, ethical, structural, environmental and C-TPAT audits your Chinese suppliers' factories, helping you choose capable and ethical suppliers. QIMA conducts audits in accordance with a number of international standards, our own Best-in-Class protocol, or your in-house requirements.
QIMA supplier audits in China help you:
Protect your brand against operational, environmental, and ethical risks
Ensure safe and ethical working conditions in your supply chain
Develop a comprehensive profile of your Chinese supplier before you give them your business
Lab Testing in China
QIMA operates testing labs in Hong Kong and China that are fully accredited to perform over 6,000 product tests in categories including softlines, hardlines, toys and electronics. Our lab testing capabilities in China are accredited by and in accordance with the following regulatory bodies and international standards:
ANAB
HOKLAS
CPSC
ISO 17025
CNAS
CMA
GB Standard Testing for Products Sold in China
If your brand sells products in China, through retail channels, e-commerce platforms, or distributors , Chinese regulations require compliance with local GB (Guobiao) standards. International test reports alone are often not sufficient, and non-compliant products are subject to market surveillance enforcement, with penalties of up to three times the retail value of affected goods. Through our partnership with UTS, one of China's leading accredited testing laboratories, QIMA now offers comprehensive GB standard testing for international brands. This means you can manage your full China compliance setup — from international lab testing to local GB requirements — through a single trusted partner. QIMA and UTS can support you with:
GB standard testing for a wide range of consumer goods (textiles, apparel, footwear, hardgoods and more)
Market surveillance support and pre-compliance review
Combined international and local GB testing management
Product Inspections in China
Inspect your product before it leaves your Chinese supplier's factory, and prevent quality problems down the line. We guarantee on-site inspections in China within 48 hours of booking, and same-day delivery of your reports.
Experienced QIMA product inspectors help you safeguard the quality of your product at every stage of manufacturing:
How the Process Works
Scope definition: We gather your product details, quality goals, and applicable standards (ISO, ASTM, EN, CPSIA etc).
On-site execution: Local QIMA auditors and inspectors conduct factory audits, IPC/DUPRO/PSI inspections, or sampling per your control plan.
Sample collection & testing: Collected samples are shipped to our ISO 17025-accredited labs in China or Hong Kong for testing.
Reporting & recommendations: You receive a detailed digital report via QIMA’s platform—results, photos, non-conformance analysis, and corrective-action advice.
Follow-up support: We help you implement corrective actions, schedule re-inspections or retests, and close the quality loop.
Who we support
We help consumer products manufacturers to deliver on-site inspections, audits and lab testing in China. Retailers, importers and brand-owner quality teams rely on our third-party validation to secure supply chain compliance and protect their reputations.
Why QIMA?
Transparent Pricing
All-inclusive pricing for product inspections in China
All-inclusive pricing for supplier audits in China
Instant online quotes for lab testing in China
Fast Turnaround
Inspectors and auditors can be on-site within 48 hours
Same-day inspection reports
Easy and Flexible scheduling
Manage orders and inspections online or via mobile app
Modify or cancel orders up until 4:00PM CST the day before the scheduled inspection
Your Eyes in the Supply Chain!™ - We are an independent, certified and licensed quality control company, working on your side to protect your business interests in the supply chain.
Online QC Management System - Create your free account, schedule your inspections online, make payments, and receive your detailed inspection report electronically.
Comprehensive Reports – Inspection reports include detailed pictures to let you see what our inspectors see. Audit reports include copies of factory records, management interviews, and images, ensuring a complete profile of your supplier.
Trends & Insights in China
Western Demand for Chinese Goods Rose in 2024 Amid Supply Issues and Tariff Anticipation
China remained a key sourcing partner in 2024, with global inspection and audit demand up 29% YoY across major consumer goods categories. Anticipation of new U.S. tariffs drove some Western brands to stockpile goods, while others took a wait-and-see approach. The next phase of the U.S.-China trade war is set to influence 2025 sourcing strategies.
Learn More: QIMA Q1 2025 Barometer
A Shift Back To Chinese Suppliers
In 2023 we saw an increase in sourcing from China, for the first time in four years. China’s relative share in US- and EU-based supplier portfolios rose 5.4% YoY in 2023, and we expect this trend to continue through 2024.
Learn More: Global Sourcing Trends
Nearshoring & Reshoring
Our surveys showed a clear trend of Western buyers shifting away from China from 2019 to 2022. Buyers relocated a portion of their manufacturing to other parts of Asia. They also invested more in reshoring and nearshoring.
Learn More: Nearshoring & Reshoring Trends
Selling Into China:
What International Brands Need to Know About Local Compliance As more international brands expand into the Chinese consumer market, local GB compliance is becoming a critical requirement. Learn what it takes to ensure your products meet China's mandatory local standards. Learn More: Selling Consumer Goods in China: A Guide to Local GB Compliance for International Brands
FAQs
What quality control services do you offer in China? We provide factory audits, product inspections (IPC, DUPRO, PSI, CLC), and lab testing across all major consumer-product categories.
How quickly can QIMA arrange an inspection on-site? We guarantee on-site inspections within 48 hours of booking, subject to regional office availability.
Can you audit multiple supplier sites? Yes, our auditors can conduct multi-site audits, coordinated through a single project manager for consistency.
How do I track progress and get my reports? All inspection, audit, and test reports are available in real-time on QIMA’s digital platform. You’ll receive email notifications when each report is ready.
More Resources
Quality Control in Vietnam - Do you manufacture or have suppliers in Vietnam? Read more to learn about QIMA’s expertise in Vietnam.
Laboratory Testing Services - Learn more about QIMA’s world-class lab testing services.