Tricks of the Trade: Testing Quotes

Rule of Thumb: ALWAYS ask for a quote prior to the testing of your product!

When submitting product/s for testing without requesting a quote (also known as Blind Submitting) you leave yourself open to the risk of overspending. Labs can take advantage of customers who might not know the ins and outs of what the average pricing for a test costs, how to combine like tests, and how to submit existing documentations in lieu of testing. Would you take your car to a mechanic and have them fix it before knowing what they plan on fixing and the estimated cost of the work? So why should product testing be any different? Never put yourself at the mercy of the lab.

There are two ways to receive an accurate quote from a lab.

The first is to send the lab of your choosing product information:

Based on the information sent, the lab should provide you a rough estimate of the total cost of testing. Remember, this is an estimate that can fluctuate in pricing once samples are received.

The second way to request a quote:

Send over a sample of your product directly to the lab you plan on testing with. This is the most common practice used when requesting a quote and will get you the most accurate cost quote of the two methods.

The quote sheet you receive from the lab should have a detailed breakdown of each test needed, the exact cost for each test, and the number of samples the lab will need to complete testing. Having the sample submittal number is very beneficial, as it can save you the wait of having to submit more samples for testing.

……

As a service, CPTS can perform Lab Quote Evaluations on your products. These are evaluations that look at your product and the regulations that will be applicable and compares it to the quote sheet you were provided. What we look for range from unnecessary testing, the ability to consolidate tests, any existing documentation to submit in lieu of testing, and to an overall evaluation of the total cost. We want to make sure that you are receiving the best service and prices possible.

CPTS also takes the additional step of providing you with a second quote from an accredited 3rd part laboratory in the same area with at a guaranteed lower price.

As a trial, we offer this service free of charge for first time requesters.

As always please feel free to share your comments below and subscribe to the blog.

CPTS

How Safety Testing Works: Part 1

Where exactly does the safety process begin? With all of the regulatory changes that have happened over the last 5 years, the safety process should start at the Design phase. The key to a great Quality Assurance program is to be diligent in the beginning stages of the process. Remember, be proactive not reactive. 

Start with a basic understanding of what raw materials your product will contain. If a soft plastic piece is part of the design, make a note that Phthalates are commonly found in plastics that bend with ease.    

Make note of who your target customers are and make sure that all regulations that pertain to that target is well documented. For instance, a child's sound toy might have a specific decimal limit that must be met in order to pass testing.

Another factor to take into consideration is if your product is being sold at a specific retailer. There is a good chance that the retailer you are planning to sell through has it's own brand specific testing practices that go beyond the typical federal regulations that your products would be tested to.

The easiest way to complete the safety design process and document it correctly would be to have a Design Evaluation performed on your product. A Design Evaluation is typically needed for companies who do not have a team of safety engineers, or have access to the latest and newest testing standards. These Design Evaluations can map out every requirement needed and any potential hazards or failures prior to the start of production.

Design Evaluations are the new norm in the Quality Assurance world. When performed correctly, a company can hedge their risks, reduce testing costs, and take a proactive approach to safety testing.

As always, please feel free to ask any questions in the comment section below.

CPTS