Overview

On February 28 2024, quality‑and‑production specialist Stephan Thaerigen explained in a Helium 10 podcast how German brands can manufacture goods in Chinese factories while keeping quality risks to a minimum. He outlined a step‑by‑step control system that meets EU standards and provides full supply‑chain visibility—information that Amazon sellers need to protect margins and brand reputation when moving production offshore.

Key Points

• Early factory vetting — On‑site audits in Shenzhen enabled 78 % of inspected plants to align their processes with European requirements within three weeks; a German stainless‑steel cookware maker reduced its defect rate from 12 % to 3 % after the audit.
• Comprehensive checklists — GQC.io’s 150‑item questionnaire covers material analysis, dimensional accuracy and safety certifications; a silicone‑baking‑mold supplier scored 135 points on the first run and needed only five corrective actions.
• Independent audit partners — Third‑party firms in Shanghai sampled 500 units per lot; in a 10,000‑unit batch of a fitness gadget, 12 faulty pieces were identified and removed before shipment.
• Real‑time reporting — Cloud‑based dashboards deliver inspection results to German buyers within 24 hours; a bio‑cosmetics manufacturer cut delivery delays by two days thanks to instant feedback.
• Sustainable supplier development — Semi‑annual training on EU environmental and safety rules helped a plastic‑packaging factory lower its CO₂ output per item by 15 % without raising costs.
• Risk‑management escalation — A predefined trigger (defect rate > 5 %) automatically involves a German quality team; for a 20,000‑unit smart‑home device batch, the protocol was activated and the non‑conforming units were reworked before reaching the warehouse.

How Quality Control Works

1. Supplier selection & pre‑audit — The sourcing team travels to China, inspects production lines and benchmarks current practices against EU norms; for example, they chose a Dongguan plant already holding ISO‑9001 certification.