Glassware quality control and glass products inspection plays a central role in the production of the glass. To ensure the glass products meet your requirement, TESTCOO Inspection Service can help.

Glassware is used in our everyday lives, from drinking glasses, glass containers, fruit bowls, vases, table-tops, and as containers in medical laboratories. When it comes to checking glasses and controlling the quality, there are a variety of standards in operations throughout the pre-production and production manufacturing stage.

In this article, we’ll take you through the glass standards and compliance, the common glass defects and the checklists for glassware pre-shipment inspection.

Regulations and Standards for Glass Products Quality Control

Quality control for glass products involves adherence to various regulations and standards to ensure safety, performance, and reliability. Here are some key regulations and standards for glass products quality control:

Glass Products Regulations and Standards in the EU

EN 14072:2003 Glass in furniture - Test methods

EN 14072:2003 Glass in furniture applies to all types of glass used in furniture, including tables, cabinets, shelves, and other household items where glass is used as a structural or decorative component. It covers different types of glass such as annealed, tempered, and laminated glass.

By specifying requirements for strength, durability, impact resistance, and edge safety, it helps protect consumers from potential hazards associated with glass in household items.

EN ISO 7459:2004 Glass containers - Thermal shock resistance and thermal shock endurance - Test methods (ISO 7459:2004)

EN ISO 7459:2004 specifies test methods for determining the thermal shock resistance and thermal shock endurance of glass containers.

Glass Products Regulations and Standards in the US

ASTM C1036 – 21 Standard Specification for Flat Glass

ASTM C1036 covers the quality requirements of flat, transparent, clear, and tinted glass. This glass is intended to be used primarily for architectural glazing products including: coated glass, insulating glass units, laminated glass, mirrors, spandrel glass, or similar uses.

ASTM C1464-21 Standard Specification for Bent Glass

ASTM C1464 covers the requirements for bent glass used in general building construction, furniture, display, and various other non-automotive applications.

ASTM C1503-18 Standard Specification for Silvered Flat Glass Mirror

The ASTM C1503-08 is the most referred-to mirror inspection standard in North America. It covers silvered flat glass mirrors for indoor use.?

What Are the Common Glassware Quality Defects?

The defects in glassware are typically unavoidable, but they can be minimised during production. The most common glass defects you should be aware of include: bubbles, holes, shards, smears, and dents.

Pre-shipment Inspection Checklists for Glassware

The importers and brands employ reliable third-party quality control Inspection Company to ensure the safety of glassware and glass products supply chain.

In most cases, a pre-shipment inspection is performance to meet requirements of the buyers. An on-site inspector focuses on these four checklists: visual and workmanship, quantity, product and package, data measurement and on-site test.

A glassware inspection checklist includes:

1. Visual and Workmanship Check

Generally, visual and workmanship check for glassware inspection per ANSI/ASQ Z1.4-2003 Single Sampling Plans for Normal Inspection, Inspection levelⅡ, Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) for: Critical defective: Not allowed; Major defective: 2.5; Minor defective : 4.0.

During the glassware inspection, the inspector will check the below common workmanship and appearance factors but not all included: color, stain, bubble, damage, scratch, edge, mixing.

2. Quantity Check

Discrepancies in batch quantities can cause confusion, delays, and inventory tracking issues. The inspection team conducts a thorough count and cross-checks of glassware ready to be delivered against purchase order documentation.

They compare the shipment’s quantity to the specified order quantity, ensuring precise alignment between the two. This meticulous process guarantees accurate documentation and facilitates smooth inventory management.

3. Product and Packaging Check

Packaging brittle and fragile products can be quite challenging. Glass and ceramics are not only heavy, but they are also brittle. Furthermore, they can also be of irregular shape, making them harder to pack. So that glass products must be fully packaged with materials of sufficient strength so that the goods can reach the destination warehouse in a saleable state.

The product and packaging conformity service in TESTCOO final random inspections for glassware includes an evaluation of the labeling and packaging aspects of the products. Reviewing the presence and accuracy of the Purchase Order, Product Specification, and User Manual.

These documents provide essential information about the product, its specifications, usage instructions, and any other specific requirements requested by the client. Besides TESTCOO will review other specific questions around the documentation provided by the client. It includes the items:

• Product Appearance Verification
• Accessories Verification
• Packing Verification
• Labeling/ Marking Compliance

4. Data Measurement and Onsite Test Checklist

• Product size and weight measurement: According to product spec or approved sample. Apply +/- 3% if no detail tolerance issued or requirement from client.
• Barcode scan check: The barcode of the glassware must be scannable and with the correct number.
• Assembly check: The assembly of the glassware is inspected to verify that all components are assembled smoothly according to the instruction manual or guideline, and no issue found.
• Stability check: Fill glassware with water, then place the unit on 10 degree inclined plane. No tip over.
• Coating adhesive tape check: A coating adhesive tape test of the glassware is measured to ensure no more than 10% area of all painting, foil stamping, UV coating, printing peel off required.
• Capacity check: The capacity of the glassware should meet the requirement.
• Moisture check for wood component: Insert the pins of tester in wooden 6mm depth along the grain. Then read the recruit. The wooden material moisture content should be with 7%-14% if no detail requirement.
• Thermal shock check: Immerse the product unit in water with about 25°C for 5 min, then pour away the water and immediate immerse into boiling water, place for 5 min then empty. repeat above for 2 cycles.
• Wobbling Test for free standing products: Place the glassware on the flat board horizontally, no base shall be allowed wobbling.
• Sharp edge and sharp points check: Through hand feel checking, there is should no sharp edge or sharp point.

TESTCOO is your Certified Glass Products Inspection Provider in China, Vietnam, India and Bangladesh

TESTCOO Inspection conducts comprehensive initial production, during production, and pre-shipment inspections for your glass products including glass bottle, glass cap, glass craft, glass drying oven, glass explosion-proof tubes, glass lampshade, glass mirror, glass mug, glassware, blown glassware, table glassware.

TESTCOO Inspection has a strong network of 500+ qualified inspectors located in China, Vietnam, India and Bangladesh. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive inspection services and how we can help you ensure the quality and compliance of your glass products.