Quality Assurance | Empire USA

Quality

Assurance Program

Commitment to Quality

In its 40+ years in business, and with a 100% flawless quality history with its customers, Empire has taken major steps in the area of quality assurance and counterfeit avoidance to safeguard customer Supply Chains. With having a substantial global supplier network of over 20,000+ vendors, Empire has implemented procurement guidelines directing that all product must be sourced from authorized factory channels, and secondary market suppliers that have been properly vetted through a stringent vendor qualification and rating system process.

Quality Assurance Program

Maintaining a perfect quality history for over 40 years begins with Empire’s knowledgeable inspection team’s execution of a comprehensive inspection checklist.

Once all inspection criteria have been carefully met, final approval must be granted by one of Empire’s certified Quality Control Managers before the product can be taken into inventory, shipped out to the designated customer, or re-directed to a test lab partner for further testing and authentication.

Any non-conforming or damaged products that are received in are immediately separated and placed in a dedicated secure warehouse location for further processing, never entering into Empire’s active inventory.

To further ensure the security of the supply chain, Empire’s certified quality control teams are frequently provided with professional development training and with the latest up to date information on industry standards.

Empire has access to the most current suspect and counterfeit part listings as well as searches and receives automatic email alerts to identify newly reported companies suspected of shipping questionable components.

Inspection Process

Packages are received and processed on ESD compliant grounded static mats with personnel wearing wrist and heel straps

Inner and Outer packaging checked for signs of visible damage

Packing Slip and supporting documents carefully checked for accuracy against PO/SO’s

Commodity Classification/Type

Quantity Validation

Verification of Lot Code, Date Code, Country of Origin

Packaging Type

Check for a moisture-sensitive label on the bag

Package checked for ESD compliance

The vacuum seal is carefully examined for failure

Factory seal inspected for alignment and resealing

Inspection of all labels; OEM or other, MSL information checked, inspect for tampering, copying; ink permanency, date codes, misspellings, seal dates, scan compliance

Reels, Trays, etc. inspected for original OEM or third party

Verification that parts have been packaged uniformly, and in exact accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements

Counterfeit Mitigation Program

Lot Code verification
Pins and Leads inspected for damage (bent, scratched, broken, missing)
Pins and leads checked for signs of corrosion
Microscope magnification
Verification of outer scratches, rework to body, have not been re-stamped Inspect for previous usage markings

For parts that require additional inspection, testing, and authentication, Empire currently has agreements with several third-party test facilities spanning the globe. These test labs meet compliance standards of ISO9001, AS9100C, AS6081, CCAP-101, MIL-STD-883, MIL-PRF-19500, MIL-PRF-38534, JAN, JANTX, JANTXV

All packaging materials are anti-static (bags, peanuts, bubble wrap, desiccant, etc) and in direct accordance with commercial and Mil STD's
Post inspection, products are re-sealed in moisture-proof packaging and stored in exact accordance with manufacturers requirements
Empire quality inspectors are equipped with Amerivacs Vacuum Sealer Model # AVS-20