The most common complaints with intermediate purchases are low assay, new or higher impurities, too much moisture, caking, late delivery, wrong documents and supply stopping without warning. Most of them trace back to a loose specification or a supplier change nobody was told about.
Knowing the usual problems lets you write them out of the order before it starts.
Quality complaints
These come up most often:
- The assay is lower than the COA, often because the supplier tested on a dry basis and the product arrived with more water.
- A new impurity appears, usually because the plant changed route, raw material source or subcontracted a batch.
- The product cakes or lumps, because of moisture pick-up or weak inner liners.
- The shade or strength of the finished dye drops, even though the COA looks normal.
- Insoluble matter or specks block filters or show up in dyed fabric.
- The material in later shipments does not match the approved sample.
The last point is common across chemicals. Our article on why quality drops after the first container explains the pattern.
Supply and paperwork complaints
Delivery problems are frequent in intermediates. Plants close for environmental action, feedstock runs short, or a larger customer takes priority. Prices can also rise between quote and shipment.
Document problems cause customs delays. Typical errors are a COA that does not match the batch numbers on the packs, an SDS that is out of date, or a wrong HS code or transport classification.
Packing complaints are also common. Bags tear in transit, drums dent or leak, and pallets collapse when stacked. Agree the pack type, pallet pattern and loading method in advance, and inspect them at loading.
When a complaint does arise, act on evidence. Photograph packs and labels before use, and test the received lot and the retained sample side by side in an independent lab. Our article on handling a quality claim sets out the steps.
How to prevent them
Most complaints can be avoided with a few controls:
- Write a specification with test methods, basis and named impurity limits, as in our H-acid specification guide.
- Require written notice of any change of route, raw material or site.
- Have each lot tested independently before loading, not only on arrival.
- Keep retained samples and compare HPLC profiles across lots.
- Approve a second supplier for critical intermediates.
- Check documents against the packs at loading.
Next step
We have lots tested before dispatch, supervise loading and check documents so problems are caught in India, not at your plant. To discuss your intermediates, book a free sourcing review.