# Product test advisor: which quality tests to order > Pick your product type and see which quality and lab tests to order, why each matters and when to run it: metal, plastic, textile, wood, electronics and packs. Source: https://sourcesquid.co/tools/test-advisor/ Quality tool · free # Product test advisor. Test what matters. Product testing checks that goods from a factory meet your specification and the rules of your market, from alloy grade and colour fastness to electrical safety and restricted substances. Pick your product type and this advisor lists the tests we recommend, why each matters and when to run it. * __Free, no sign-up * __Runs in your browser * __Save as PDF or email it Test advisor ## Know exactly what to test, and why. Pick your product. We recommend the tests that protect your brand and your market access, and skip the ones that only add cost. Test| Why it matters| When we recommend it ---|---|--- Alloy check (PMI)| Confirms the grade, for example 316 against 304 stainless.| Every lot Hardness| Confirms heat treatment and temper.| Every lot Dimensional (CMM)| Critical dimensions against the drawing.| First article, then sampling Salt spray| Coating and plating corrosion resistance.| New finish or supplier Dye penetrant or X-ray| Surface and internal soundness of castings and welds.| Safety-critical parts Test| Why it matters| When we recommend it ---|---|--- Dimensional and fit| Critical dimensions and assembly fit.| First article, then sampling Colour and gloss| Against your approved master under D65 light.| Every lot Impact and drop| Toughness at room and low temperature.| New material or tool UV ageing| Colour stability for outdoor products.| Outdoor use REACH and RoHS screening| Restricted substances in resin and pigments.| EU market Test| Why it matters| When we recommend it ---|---|--- Colour fastness| Washing, rubbing and light.| Every colourway Dimensional stability| Shrinkage after washing.| Every fabric Fibre composition| Confirms the label content.| New fabric Seam and pull strength| Seams, buttons and trims, including children’s wear safety.| Every style Restricted substances| Azo dyes, formaldehyde and other REACH limits.| EU market Test| Why it matters| When we recommend it ---|---|--- Stability and load| Strength and tip-over tests to the relevant EN standard.| New design Moisture content| Prevents cracking in dry climates.| Every lot Finish adhesion| Cross-cut adhesion and scratch resistance.| New finish Formaldehyde emission| E1 or lower for panels and glues.| Panel products EUDR traceability| Wood origin to plot level for the EU.| EU market Test| Why it matters| When we recommend it ---|---|--- Functional test| Every unit powered and tested to your procedure.| Every unit or sampling Hi-pot and safety| Electrical safety to the relevant IEC standard.| Every lot EMC pre-scan| Emissions check before formal certification.| New design Battery transport (UN38.3)| Required for lithium batteries in transport.| Battery products RoHS screening| Restricted substances in components.| EU market Test| Why it matters| When we recommend it ---|---|--- ISTA drop test| Drops by weight class: corner, edges and faces.| New pack design Box compression| Stacking strength for warehouse and container.| New carton FIBC top lift| Safety factor of 5:1 or 6:1 for bulk bags.| Every bag design PPWR material data| Recyclability and substance data for the EU.| EU market [Need a test plan for your product? Ask a quality principal, free](https://sourcesquid.co/start/?from=test-advisor) **Saved.** Want a copy in your inbox or on WhatsApp as well? Optional. How it works ## Three steps. One clear answer. 1. 01 Choose your product type: metal parts, plastic parts, textiles, furniture, electronics or packaging. 2. 02 Read each recommended test and why it matters. 3. 03 Use the timing column to plan tests into your first article, lot or new-supplier checks. Method and sources Recommendations follow common practice in our inspection and lab work for importers into the EU, UK and US. Tests fall into three groups: identity (is it the right material, such as PMI for alloy grade or fibre composition), performance (hardness, dimensions, colour fastness, stability, drop and compression) and compliance (restricted substances under REACH and RoHS, electrical safety, UN38.3 for lithium batteries, EUDR traceability for wood). Timing shows when a test adds most value: every lot, the first article, a new material or supplier, or a specific market. Your product's standards and your customer's requirements decide the final test plan. * [ECHA: Understanding REACH](https://echa.europa.eu/regulations/reach/understanding-reach) * [European Commission: RoHS Directive](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/rohs-directive_en) Results are estimates to support your decisions. For binding figures, ask our team or your customs broker. Test advisor questions ## Straight answers. Anything else, ask us directly. A principal replies, not a bot. [anirudh@sourcesquid.co](mailto:anirudh@sourcesquid.co) ### What is the difference between an inspection and a lab test? An inspection checks a sample of finished goods at the factory against your specification: appearance, dimensions, function and packing. A lab test measures properties an inspector cannot see, such as alloy chemistry, colour fastness or restricted substances. ### Do I need to test every production lot? Not for every test. Run identity checks such as alloy grade or colour against the master every lot, and run full performance or compliance tests on the first article, a new material or supplier, or a change in process. ### What is PMI testing? Positive material identification. A handheld XRF or spark analyser confirms the alloy grade in seconds, for example that a part is 316 rather than 304 stainless steel. ### Which tests are needed to sell in the EU? It depends on the product. Common ones are REACH restricted-substance screening for most consumer goods, RoHS for electrical and electronic equipment, and EUDR traceability for wood and other covered commodities. Use it with ## Tools that work well together. [Quality**AQL sampling** An AQL sampling plan tells an inspector how many units to pull from a lot and how many defects of each class the lot can contain and still be accepted.](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/aql-sampling-planner/)[Quality**Inspection checklist** A quality inspection checklist lists every check an inspector makes on a lot: quantity and packing, labels and market marks, workmanship, function, measurements, on-site tests and documents.](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/inspection-checklist/)[Quality**Drop test planner** A drop test checks that a packed product survives the knocks of handling, and ISTA 1A sets the drop height by packed weight: 76 cm for packs under 9.5 kg, down to 31 cm for 27.7 to 45.4 kg.](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/drop-test-planner/)[Quality**Cpk calculator** Cpk, the process capability index, shows how comfortably a process fits inside its tolerance: it is the distance from the mean to the nearest specification limit divided by three standard deviations.](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/cpk-calculator/) From numbers to factories ## Turn this result into a free teardown. Send one drawing, photo or quote. A principal returns how it is made, where it is made best and a realistic target price, free, in 48 hours. [Get my free teardown](https://sourcesquid.co/start/?from=test-advisor)[Talk to a principal](https://sourcesquid.co/contact/)