Operational Guide — Supplier Qualification Approval
AA-PROC-QUAL-REC — Supplier Qualification Approval
This artifact provides evidence that supplier qualification requirements are fulfilled and formally approved prior to supplier use.
Minimum evidentiary expectations include:
- Supplier identity and scope of qualification
- Assigned supplier risk level
- Completed qualification activities (documentation, audit, verification)
- Identification of approval limitations or conditions
- Quality authorization of supplier approval or disqualification
Auditor focus: ability to reconstruct why a supplier is approved, restricted, or disqualified based on documented evidence.
WIN-PROC-QUAL-APPROVE
Governs execution of supplier qualification activities and formal approval or disqualification decisions.
Collect and review required supplier information.
Assign and document supplier risk level.
Verify completion of qualification requirements.
Obtain Quality authorization of supplier status.
Control outcome: Supplier approval decisions are risk-based, documented, and authorized prior to use.
Authority resides in the applicable Family Pack.
The AA and WIN above are reproduced verbatim for reference only and are
maintained under formal change control in the Family Pack.
This Operational Guide is non-authoritative and provides execution guidance
only. It does not modify, reinterpret, or replace governing documentation.
Process: Supplier Qualification Approval
Business Process Owner: Supplier Quality / Procurement
Primary Systems: Supplier Management System, QMS, Audit Repository
Applies When: Supplier qualification activities are complete and pending approval or disqualification
Operational Step Sequence
This sequence supports execution of supplier qualification activities and
formal approval or disqualification decisions in alignment with the Family Pack.
- Compile required supplier information relevant to the defined qualification scope.
- Assign and document the supplier risk level using the designated risk classification method.
- Confirm that all required qualification activities have been completed and documented.
- Review qualification evidence to ensure completeness and traceability.
- Identify and document any approval limitations, restrictions, or conditions, if applicable.
- Submit the qualification package for Quality review.
- Document Quality authorization of supplier approval, restriction, or disqualification.
- Ensure supplier status is recorded and communicated prior to supplier use.
Operational Ownership & Change Flexibility:
The operational steps described above are owned by the Business Process
Owner (BPO). These steps may be updated without formal change control,
provided execution remains aligned with the intent and outcomes defined
in the governing Family Pack.
Escalation:
Any supplier lacking complete qualification evidence or Quality authorization
is escalated prior to approval or use.
Completion Criteria
Execution is complete when supplier qualification activities are completed,
risk level is assigned, Quality authorization is documented, and the supplier
status is formally approved, restricted, or disqualified prior to use.