# Ceramics and glassware inspection checklist > What our inspectors check on tableware and glassware: chips, crazing, glaze and decoration defects, ring tests, thermal shock, capacity and lead reports. Source: https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/ceramics-and-glass/ Inspection checkpoints · Ceramics and glass # Ceramics and glass inspection: what we check. A ceramics and glass inspection finds chips, cracks and glaze defects, and confirms capacity, fit and food-contact documents, on a random sample drawn to ANSI/ASQ Z1.4. Here is what our inspectors check on tableware, mugs, vases and glassware. [Book an inspection](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/book-an-inspection/?product=Ceramics%20and%20glass) [Open the checklist](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/inspection-checklist/?cat=ceramics) 15 defects we look for 6 on-site tests 0 / 2.5 / 4.0 typical AQL Ceramics and glass **Critical** Chip or crack on a rim or edge that touches the mouth or hand **Major** Hairline crack found in the ring test **Minor** Small glaze drip on the foot ring Stoneware, porcelain and earthenware tableware, mugs, bakeware, vases and decorative pieces, and glassware. Defects by class ## Critical, major, minor: how we class them. Each defect in the sample is photographed and counted in its class. Your AQL plan sets how many are allowed; for critical defects the answer is none. AQL 0 ### Critical defects Likely to injure the user or breaks a mandatory rule of the destination market. One critical defect in the sample means the lot is not accepted. * Chip or crack on a rim or edge that touches the mouth or hand * Glass shards or broken pieces in the pack * Breakage in the thermal shock test on an item sold as oven or dishwasher safe * Food-contact item without a passing lead and cadmium release report AQL 2.5 typical ### Major defects Likely to cause a failure, reduce usability or make the product unsaleable, so a customer would return it. * Hairline crack found in the ring test * Crazing, pinholes or bare spots in the glaze on a food-contact surface * Decoration misaligned, smudged or missing * Warped base that rocks on a flat surface * Lid that does not fit; spout that drips * Capacity outside tolerance * Bubbles or stones in glass in a visible area AQL 4.0 typical ### Minor defects A departure from the specification that does not affect use and is unlikely on its own to cause a return. * Small glaze drip on the foot ring * Slight colour variation within the set * Small decoration spot away from view * Tiny bubble in a non-visible area Your specification and approved sample decide the final class. Where a buyer defines zones (for example, zone A for the most visible surfaces), a defect in zone A is usually classed higher than the same defect in a hidden area. On-site tests ## Tests we run at the factory. 1. 01 **Ring (tap) test** Each sampled piece tapped: a dull sound points to a hidden crack. 2. 02 **Thermal shock** Hot and cold water cycles to your specification for oven or dishwasher-safe claims. 3. 03 **Capacity** Filled with water to the brim or to the fill line and measured. 4. 04 **Decoration adhesion** Tape and rub test on decals and prints. 5. 05 **Rock test** Base checked on a flat glass plate. 6. 06 **Pour and lid fit** Teapots, jugs and jars poured and closed. Measurements ## Points we measure. Measurement points for ceramics and glass Point| How we measure ---|--- Height and diameter| Calipers at rim and base Capacity| Water fill, in ml Wall thickness| At the rim and body Lid fit gap| Feeler gauge where specified Weight| Scale, in grams Unit: mm unless stated. We measure at least five units per size or version against your specification and tolerances, and report every reading. Packing and labelling ## Packed right, labelled right. * Each piece wrapped or separated by dividers * Set count per box matches the listing * Inner boxes fit tightly in the master carton * Carton drop test on one packed unit * Fragile and this-way-up marks on cartons * Shipping marks, carton count, gross weight and dimensions agree with the packing list Market marks ## What your market expects. EU Lead and cadmium release limits for food-contact ceramics (Directive 84/500/EEC); glass-and-fork symbol where food use is not obvious. US FDA limits on lead in ceramicware; decorative ware that looks like tableware marked “Not for food use” (21 CFR 109.16); Proposition 65 in California. Claims Dishwasher, microwave and oven-safe marks match the test evidence. Backstamp Backstamp or marking as specified. We check marks and documents against your specification. Your compliance team or test lab confirms which rules apply to your exact product. How we inspect it ## On the floor, step by step. We unpack sampled cartons fully, ring-test every sampled piece, and inspect glaze and decoration under good light. Capacity, thermal shock and rock tests run on separate pieces, and a packed carton is drop-tested before loading. Suggested planLevel II with AQL 0 / 2.5 / 4.0 is usual. Sets are counted as one unit or per piece, as you prefer. * [Sampling**AQL sampling planner** Sample size and accept numbers for AQL 0 / 2.5 / 4.0.](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/aql-sampling-planner/?lot=3500&level=II&crit=0&major=2.5&minor=4.0) * [Checklist**Ceramics and glass inspection checklist** A printable form with these checks, ready for your inspector.](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/inspection-checklist/?cat=ceramics) * [Testing**Test advisor** Which lab tests your product needs before it ships.](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/test-advisor/) * [Report**See an example report** A full pre-shipment report, page by page.](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/sample-report/) Other categories * [Apparel and textiles](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/apparel-and-textiles/) * [Home textiles](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/home-textiles/) * [Metal hardgoods](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/metal-hardgoods/) * [Plastic products](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/plastic-products/) * [Electronics and electricals](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/electronics/) * [Furniture](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/furniture/) * [Leather goods and footwear](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/leather-goods-and-footwear/) * [Toys](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/toys/) * [Packaging](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/checkpoints/packaging/) Ceramics and glass inspection questions ## Straight answers. Anything else, ask us directly. A principal replies, not a bot. [anirudh@sourcesquid.co](mailto:anirudh@sourcesquid.co) ### How do you find hairline cracks in ceramics? With a ring test: each piece is tapped lightly and a sound piece rings clearly, while a cracked one sounds dull. We then look closely at the suspect area under strong light and photograph the crack. ### Do you test for lead and cadmium? Lead and cadmium release is measured in an accredited lab, which we arrange. On site, we check that a valid report covers the product, glaze and decoration being shipped. ### Why do you drop-test cartons of ceramics? Because transit breakage is the most common complaint on ceramics. A drop test on one packed carton shows whether the wrapping, dividers and carton will protect the goods on the way. Book a check ## Your ceramics and glass, checked point by point. Tell us the product, the factory and the date. We confirm the inspector and the fixed price the same working day. 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