| Applicable standards and product scope | 15 points | Check whether the proposed hose is designed for the actual application, such as an engine fuel line, marine fuel system, or fuel-dispensing equipment. Examples of relevant standards include SAE J30, ISO 7840, ISO 8469, and EN 1360; their scope and requirements differ. | Current technical datasheet; test reports identifying the exact hose type and standard edition; certificates with a verifiable scope, where applicable. | 1: No applicable evidence. 3: Some relevant documentation, but gaps remain. 5: Traceable evidence matches the product, application, and applicable standard. |
| Fuel and material compatibility | 15 points | Confirm compatibility with the specified fuel, including the fuel blend and any stated ethanol or biodiesel content. Review the tube material, reinforcement, cover, and fittings as a complete assembly. | Written compatibility statement for the intended fuel; compound or material data; immersion or compatibility test results using a stated method and exposure conditions. | 1: Compatibility is unsupported. 3: General claims with limited test detail. 5: Product-specific evidence covers the requested fuel and stated conditions. |
| Pressure, temperature, and dimensions | 15 points | Compare working pressure, any specified burst or impulse requirements, temperature range, inside diameter, outside diameter, and bend requirements with the buyer’s design. Do not treat burst pressure as working pressure. | Controlled datasheet and drawings; pressure and dimensional inspection records; test reports showing methods, sample identification, and results. | 1: Key limits are missing or unclear. 3: Most values are stated but not adequately verified. 5: All requested limits are documented and supported by relevant test or inspection records. |
| Manufacturing quality controls | 12 points | Review incoming-material controls, batch mixing and processing controls, in-process inspection, final testing, nonconformance handling, and corrective-action procedures. Confirm the quality system certificate is current and covers the relevant facility and activities. | Quality-system certificate, if applicable; sample inspection plan; process-control records; example corrective-action report with confidential details removed. | 1: No defined controls. 3: Basic procedures with limited records. 5: Documented controls and consistent, reviewable records across production stages. |
| Batch traceability and change control | 10 points | Check whether finished hoses can be traced to production date, lot, and relevant material batches. Ask how changes to materials, tooling, manufacturing site, or product design are reviewed and communicated. | Example product marking and batch record; written change-control procedure; sample certificate of conformity linked to a production lot. | 1: No practical traceability. 3: Partial batch identification. 5: Lot-level traceability and documented change notification are demonstrated. |
| Sample validation and consistency | 10 points | Evaluate production-representative samples against the agreed specification before placing a volume order. Confirm that samples and later production use the same construction and approved materials. | Pre-production samples; inspection results against an agreed checklist; written approval and sample-retention procedure. | 1: No validation process. 3: Samples are available but production equivalence is unclear. 5: Sample approval and production controls are documented. |
| Technical communication and support | 8 points | Assess whether the supplier can answer application-specific questions, clarify limitations, provide drawings, and support investigation of quality issues in a timely and technically precise manner. | Written technical responses; product drawings; named quality and engineering contacts; documented complaint-response process. | 1: Responses are vague or inconsistent. 3: Basic technical support is available. 5: Responses are clear, documented, and supported by relevant technical personnel. |
| Commercial terms and export readiness | 7 points | Compare quotation scope, minimum order quantity, payment terms, lead-time assumptions, packaging, shipping terms, and responsibility for export documentation. Confirm the quotation identifies the exact product specification. | Itemized quotation; order confirmation template; packaging details; proposed shipping terms and export-document list. | 1: Important terms are absent. 3: Terms are stated but need clarification. 5: Scope, responsibilities, and costs are clearly documented. |
| Capacity and delivery performance | 5 points | Check whether the supplier’s stated capacity and lead time fit the required order size and schedule. Ask how production planning and delays are communicated. | Production schedule for a trial order; capacity statement; anonymized on-time delivery records or customer references, where available. | 1: No credible capacity information. 3: Capacity is stated but not supported. 5: Capacity and delivery planning are supported by relevant records. |
| Environmental and regulatory documentation | 3 points | Identify destination-market requirements for the product and materials. Check whether requested declarations are current, product-specific, and supported by appropriate documentation. | Applicable material declarations, regulatory documents, or environmental management certificates, as relevant to the destination market and purchase specification. | 1: Required documentation is unavailable. 3: Some documents are supplied but scope is unclear. 5: Relevant, current documents match the product and market requirements. |