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Dispositioning nonconforming products
ISO9001:2000 next addresses dispositioning of nonconforming products. "The organization shall deal with nonconforming product by one or more of the following ways: a) by taking action to eliminate the detected nonconformity; b) by authorizing its use, release or acceptance under concession by a relevant authority and, where applicable, by the customer; and c) by taking action to preclude its original intended use or application."
Simply stated, dispositioning means deciding what to do with nonconforming product. ISO9001:2000 offers three possible dispositions; let's examine each individually.
Taking action to eliminate the detected nonconformity. The key word here is "eliminate." The product will maintain its basic identity as a product, but the nonconformity will be eliminated. This can occur in a variety of ways:
* By repairing . This includes actions that make the product functional although it doesn't conform perfectly to the original requirements. Such a product may not carry the same warranty as first-quality products, for instance.
* By reworking. Actions that make the product conform to the original requirements. In the customers' eyes, this product is exactly the same as a first-quality conforming product.
* By reprocessing . Sending the product back through the transformation process. This is done in many continuous process industries, such as chemicals and plastics.
By authorizing its use, release or acceptance under concession by a relevant authority and, where applicable, by the customer. In this case, the product still doesn't meet requirements. Nothing has been done to eliminate the nonconformity or alter the product's quality or performance. However, somebody has decided to use, release or accept the product anyway. If a product is nonconforming according to the organization's internal specifications but acceptable according to the customer's specifications, then a concession can be issued by the organization. However, if the product is nonconforming according to the customer's specifications, then the concession can only come from the customer.
The term "concession" may cause some confusion. It's nothing more than an agreement to use, release or accept a product. Concessions are always recorded; otherwise, they're worthless. If no record of the concession exists, then the organization has nothing to stand behind in the case of later disputes. Moreover, ISO9001:2000 requires concessions to be recorded.
Concessions normally include the following details:
* The condition or quality level that has been accepted
* The quantity of product that is covered under the concession
* The person who has authorized the concession, including a signature, if
possible
* The date and time the concession was granted
These could be recorded on the original sales order, the customer's purchase order, internal quality assurance records or other relevant documentation. Regardless of where and how the concession is recorded, the important thing is that it's clear and unambiguous.
By taking action to preclude its original intended use or application. This disposition can lead to a number of different actions. Ultimately, the product isn't going to be used or applied as it was originally intended. This normally occurs through one of the following actions:
* Scrapping. This action that actually gets rid of the product, such as tossing it into a dumpster.
* Recycling. The product is sent to an outside party who can recycle the product or its components into something usable
* Reprocessing. The product is changed into something entirely different from what was originally intended.
* Regrading. This is possible when the product was nonconforming according to one set of requirements but it conforms to a lesser or different set of requirements. ISO9000:2000 lists regrade as an example of "eliminating a detected nonconformity," but it seems to fit more logically under this category.
In their procedures for controlling nonconforming products, some organizations stipulate time limits within which a disposition must be accomplished (e.g., "Nonconforming products must be dispositioned within30 days of being identified."). However, common sense dictates that some dispositions may take longer to arrive at than others. Time limits are rarely a good idea, and they usually result in the organization violating its own procedures. If organizations want to reduce the amount of time between identification and disposition, managers simply need to monitor products in their nonconforming areas, a responsibility that is often ignored.
Thank you, this is what I found:
Your documented procedure for nonconforming product must include controls and responsibilities to - identify; contain,(i.e. prevent further processing or use); keep records of the nature and other details of the nonconformity; notify appropriate personnel and customer, where appropriate; evaluate what disposition action needs to be taken; carry out timely disposition; determine policies for release for further processing or shipment to the customer; obtain customer concessions; rework and re-verification; establish performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of the control of nonconformance process; etc.
Product or material found with no identification or its quality status is not known, should be treated as nonconforming product and controlled by the above procedure.
If you find that nonconforming product has been shipped, without a customer concession, you must take appropriate action to reduce the immediate and consequential effect of the nonconformity. Depending upon the seriousness and scope of the nonconformity, you might consider taking action to eliminate the nonconformity as well as corrective action (see clause8.5.2) to eliminate the root causes of the nonconformity. While there is no requirement to notify the customer (unless contractually required), it might be appropriate in specific circumstances to notify the customer and resolve the situation to your customer’s satisfaction.
A similar rationale may be applied where product has been shipped that does not meet regulatory requirements. Depending upon the seriousness and scope of the nonconformity, you might consider taking action to eliminate the nonconformity as well as corrective action (see clause8.5.2) to eliminate the root causes of the nonconformity. You need to be aware of any reporting requirements imposed by regulatory bodies and comply with them.
A concession authorization allows you to ship nonconforming product, under controlled conditions. A deviation authorization allows you to manufacture product different from the original specification, under controlled conditions. In both these situations, make sure that you obtain these authorizations in writing prior to shipping or manufacturing nonconforming product.
All product realization processes (see clause7.1) must show the interaction with your process for nonconforming product.
Performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of control of nonconforming product may include - reduction in cycle time to evaluate and dispose of nonconforming product; reduced errors in preventing unintended use or delivery; improved alternate use of nonconforming product and cost recovery; etc.
A concession or concession agreement is a grant of rights, land or property by a government, local authority, corporation, individual or other legal entity.
Commerce. an engagement to pay an order, draft, or bill of exchange when it becomes due, as by the person on whom it is drawn. an order,
Therefore a concession agreement is a grant of rights
Concession is the act of yielding or conceding, as to a demand or argument
Most probably in manufacturings when non conformance products are detected and
there's no way to discard them by reworks,
the best away which is tolerated by the ISO clauses is to ask your customer, in written and formal way, if he accepts the products as they are .
I fully agree with MR vinod jetley. thanks
I really don't know, but agree with the experts.
Nothing to add to the answers of experts.
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