Wire Harness Manufacturing Standards
If you’re in the market for a wire harness and custom cable assembly manufacturing partner, there are several factors to keep in mind. While price and lead time are essential, quality standards should not be neglected. In the wire harness and cable assembly industry, the IPC/WHMA-A-620D standard sets the benchmark for quality. This standard encompasses a broad range of requirements, including soldering, crimping, wire routing, insulation, as well as testing and inspection criteria. It also addresses the manufacturing processes, tools, equipment, and materials requirements. Choosing a manufacturer that employs trained and certified IPC/WHMA-A-620D specialists guarantees that you’ll receive the highest quality assemblies.
Quality Management System
Another key consideration is choosing a manufacturing partner with an established quality management system. The ISO 9001:2015 QMS helps organizations to establish a framework for continual improvement, customer satisfaction, and compliance with regulatory requirements. The key principles of the standard include customer focus, leadership, people engagement, process approach, continual improvement, evidence-based decision making, and relationship management. ISO 9001:2015 specifies the requirements for the QMS, including the documentation needed, the processes that must be established, and the procedures that need to be followed. It requires organizations to identify and manage risks and opportunities, monitor customer satisfaction, and continually improve their processes. The standard also emphasizes the importance of leadership and the involvement of top management in the QMS, as well as the need for regular internal audits and management reviews to ensure the effectiveness of the system. AS9100 is a quality management system (QMS) standard that is designed specifically for the aerospace industry. AS9100 is based on the ISO 9001 standard, with additional requirements specific to the aerospace industry. The AS9100 certification provides a framework for organizations to establish and maintain an effective QMS that ensures the safety, reliability, and quality of products and services in the aerospace industry. Always check to see if a potential supplier has an established quality management system.
Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy
Additionally, for prime defence contractors, it is also important to consider if a manufacturer meets the necessary criteria to support their ITB and IRB obligations. The ITB Policy requires companies that are awarded defence procurement contracts to undertake business activity in Canada equal to the value of the contract awarded. The Policy applies to all eligible defence procurements with a value over $100 million. Canadian Content Valuation (CCV) is used to measure all eligible business activities or transactions related to Canadian costs, including the use of components of Canadian origin. It represents the portion of a product or service’s cost that includes Canadian expenses, such as wages paid to Canadians, utilities, maintenance and rent, and profit taxable in Canada. Being a Canadian Small Size Business (SMB), MRO is able to provide a high level of Canadian Content Valuation (CCV) that can help defense prime contractors meet their ITB/IRB offsetting obligations.
Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy
Regulations for Sensitive Goods and Technology
Finally, Controlled Goods and ITAR are critical regulatory considerations related to the control of sensitive goods and technology. Controlled goods are items, equipment, and technology that are subject to government regulations, and their possession, transfer, or disposal is strictly controlled. ITAR is a United States regulation that controls the export and import of defense-related technologies to safeguard U.S. national security and further U.S. foreign policy objectives. ITAR covers a wide range of sensitive goods, including firearms, ammunition, and military aircraft. These regulations aim to prevent the unauthorized disclosure, transfer, or use of sensitive goods and technologies that could harm national security interests. If your business activities are not related to the Defence Industry, but you still require the highest quality products, choosing a supplier registered under the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and certified under US/Canada Joint Certification Program is a smart option.
