A business licence confirms that a company exists. You also need to check whether its identity, production, capacity and quality processes fit your procurement needs.
1. Company identity and location
Check the legal name, registration number, address, ownership and bank account against each other. Ask for explanations of different English names, trading entities or third-party payments.
- Registration and permitted business scope
- Manufacturer or trading company
- Contract party and payment recipient
- Supplier self-assessment with evidence
2. Production and capacity
Machinery alone does not prove delivery capability. Check processes, current utilisation, bottlenecks and outsourced operations. Can the supplier produce repeatedly to your specification?
- Critical production steps
- Capacity under a realistic order mix
- Sub-suppliers and outsourced processes
3. Quality and traceability
Check inspection equipment, approvals, complaint handling and batch traceability. These show whether the supplier controls quality systematically or sorts out defects only at the end.
- Inspection plan and measuring equipment
- Material and batch evidence
- Handling of deviations
4. Document the decision
A useful review report separates confirmed facts, supplier statements, open points and risks. You can then decide whether to order samples, deepen the review or stop.