At ACR, our commitment to quality is built into every step of our supply chain, from supplier qualification through final delivery. Our robust quality management system ensures that our products meet strict performance, safety, and regulatory standards. Below is a summary of our approach to supplier management, inspection protocols, and product testing:
ACR suppliers undergo an onboarding process to confirm they meet our high standards from day one. Potential suppliers must pass ACR's audit: a comprehensive evaluation that includes an on-site facility visit, in-depth quality system assessments, product testing (more on this below), certifications and document reviews, testing facility inspection, and an examination of their HR policies and social responsibility practices. Only suppliers who demonstrate strong quality controls along with proper certifications and ethical practices through this audit are approved to join our supply network.
In addition, suppliers are required to sign and adhere to ACR's Supplier Manual which outlines strict corporate and social responsibility standards. This manual covers critical compliance requirements: no use of forced or child labor, adherence to toxic substance restrictions (ensuring products free from intentionally added PFAS and compliant with California Proposition 65 regulations), and maintaining the integrity of all product claims and certifications. By agreeing to these terms, our suppliers commit to producing safe, ethically sourced products, and to continuously complying with ACR's quality expectations.
To further guarantee product safety and consistency, ACR mandates relevant industry certifications based on the type of product a supplier provides:
- Direct food contact facilities must maintain an annual passing audit under a GFSI-recognized scheme.
- Indirect food contact facilities are subject to certification requirements, where applicable, based on risk and customer or regulatory requirements.
- Non-food contact facilities must maintain certification to ISO 9001, demonstrating a quality management system.
By enforcing these certification requirements, ACR ensures that each supplier is not only equipped to deliver high-quality products, but also operates in line with global standards for food safety, quality systems, and ethical business practices.
Quality assurance at ACR is a global endeavor. We maintain a large on-the-ground quality presence with over 15 dedicated inspectors positioned throughout Asia, and the surrounding regions where our suppliers’ factories are located. This extensive footprint means that no matter where the product is manufactured, ACR has trained quality professionals nearby to oversee production and inspect goods before they ship. Our inspectors regularly visit supplier facilities, monitor production runs, and serve as our eyes and ears on the ground. This global network allows ACR to identify and address quality issues at the source, bridging the distance between our international suppliers and our customers. The result is a consistently high standard of quality control, regardless of geography.
ACR employs a multi-tiered inspection and testing process that is tailored to each product's risk level and the supplier’s performance history. Our goal is to detect and correct quality issues before our products reach our customers. Key steps in our inspection process include:
- Self-inspection: At the start of production, suppliers conduct internal quality checks based on ACR's requirements and in alignment with our quality manual standards.
- Pre-Shipment Inspections: Before orders leave the factory, ACR performs pre-shipment inspections on the finished goods in alignment with our quality manual standards. Depending on the situation, this may involve our team reviewing product samples sent to our office for evaluation, conducting a live virtual inspection via video, or dispatching ACR's inspectors for an onsite inspection at the manufacturing facility. These inspections verify that products meet specifications and quality criteria.
- Acceptable Quality Limit (AQL) Sampling Standards: During inspections, ACR utilizes statistical sampling plans following AQL Standards. ACR inspectors pull random samples from the production lot and examine them for defects. We enforce a 0% tolerance for critical defects, 2.5% for major defects, and 4.0% for minor defects. Any inspection findings exceeding these thresholds result in the batch being rejected or reworked before shipment. By using the AQL methodology, we ensure a high confidence level in the overall quality of the order without inspecting every single unit balancing efficiency with control.
- Detailed Inspection Manuals: our inspectors work with comprehensive detailed inspection checklists and manuals that are customized for each product category and sometimes even specific to customer requirements. These inspection manuals outline all the checkpoints and quality criteria for the product, from visual attributes and labeling to functional performance tests. This standardized approach means every inspector evaluates products consistently and nothing is left to guesswork. It also allows us to tailor inspections of the different products.
In addition to visual inspections and sampling, ACR's quality assurance program includes a diverse set of product tests and verification procedures to ensure that every aspect of the product meets our standards and the expectations of our customers. Our quality inspectors conduct a wide range of checks on each production lot, including but not limited to:
- Visual and Surface Inspections: We examine the general appearance and workmanship of products closely; items are checked for a smooth clean finish with no surface defects. Inspectors ensure that there is no foreign material, dust, mildew, or oil residue present on products or inside packaging.
- Measurement and Weight Checks: Accuracy of product dimensions and weights are critical for both functionality and compliance. Our team verifies all key dimensions, measurements, and weights against the product specifications. This includes checking length, width, height, and thickness; confirming the net weight; and ensuring each case contains the correct unit quantity.
- Packaging and Label Verification: Each shipment is reviewed for correct and compliant packaging. Inspectors confirm that product packaging and outer cartons have the proper barcodes, lot or batch numbers, and any required labeling such as usage instructions or safety warnings. We also confirm any special material or quality claims printed on the packaging.
- Functional Performance Testing: For products that serve a functional purpose (food containers like cups, lids, or portion cups), ACR conducts hands-on performance tests to validate reliability for real world use. For example, when we supply cup-and-lid sets, we execute snap-fit tests to ensure that lids attach securely to cups. We conduct leak tests and 360° seal checks by filling cups with liquid and confirming no leakage occurs, even when the cup is tilted or shaken (shake test). A full conference seal inspection is conducted to verify the lid creates a tight seal all the way around the rim. For portion cups, we carry out a crush point test to assess wall strength and make sure the cups don't buckle under reasonable pressure. Drop tests are done by dropping the products from standard height to observe if they crack or break, ensuring durability during handling and shipping. We also verify the volume capacity of the containers to confirm they hold the specified amount. Lastly, we check raw material to confirm via documentation or testing that the materials used match the specification and regulatory requirements.
Each of these testing protocols is documented and standardized, so every batch of product must pass the same stringent test before it's approved. By thoroughly examining appearance construction packaging and functional performance, ACR ensures that the products received will not only meet stated specifications but perform reliably in their intended use.
From the moment we are considering a new supplier to the final delivery of products to our customer, quality assurance is ingrained in every step of ACR's process. Our supplier selection and onboarding practices ensure our partners share our commitment to quality and ethics, while ongoing certification requirements and oversight from our global inspection team help keep production on track and in compliance with international standards. Through multi-tier inspections and comprehensive testing, we catch deviations early and verify that products fulfill their promises in terms of safety compliance and performance.
