Preservation of Product

Last century and in a previous version of the standard, this topic was a whole sub clause.  Very structured, very prescriptive, but oddly useful.

Now you get one paragraph.  However, it is one of my favourite sub sub clauses as it demonstrates just how the standard can be useful and ‘guide-like’ without the boring, over complicated qualspeak bits.  Unfortunately, it’s last sentence will trip some up or be seen to be a duplication but as always, remember, it is the intent that matters.

So here is the requirement.  Your Company Name preserves the conformity of product during internal processing and delivery to the intended destination.  This preservation includes identification, handling, packaging, storage and protection.  Preservation also applies to the constituent parts of a product.

Quite simple.  No requirement for a procedure.  No requirement for records.  Just a requirement that processes are in place to meet your needs and those of your customer when it comes to making sure your product / service meet expectations concerning the right item, protection in transit, condition on arrival, readiness for use and shelf life.

It also makes you consider, which I think is a little obvious if you are doing the rest, that you have to apply the same controls to the product at all stages of receipt, processing and delivery and that the same applies to all materials and components of the final product / service as well.

When it comes to designing systems, make sure you are doing this stuff, record it as an internal quality audit and or split up the requirements into other documented procedures as needed and then make sure your ‘road map’ keeps a track of it.