Universal Parks & Resorts ("Universal") has a Product Quality Program with policies and processes for Universal-developed products that are shipped or delivered to Universal.
Universal reserves the right to revise requirements as needed.
To help vendors meet Universal's quality expectations, Universal provides:
Vendors may avoid costly charge backs by meeting Universal's quality expectations.
It is our goal to partner with vendors to ensure quality products are produced and shipped, to increase efficiencies, and decrease losses for all parties involved.
Factory Quality Assessment Survey (FQAS)
Vendors may use the Universal Factory Quality Assessment Survey (FQAS) to assess a factory's capacity for producing quality products. The FQAS can help the vendor evaluate if the factory can reliably and repeatedly produce quality products. The factory completes the FQAS and provides a method to document a factory's quality programs and processes.
The survey provides general information such as business size, primary product line, and so on, but also inquiries about production facilities and equipment and existing quality systems. For example, if the factory employs a quality manager, if a factory has foreign object detection equipment, process controls, inspections, and so on.
If the information provided on the FQAS indicates that improvements or enhancements to a factory's quality program are needed, utilize the form as a mechanism to encourage continuous improvement.
Universal may request that a vendor ask its selected factory to complete an FQAS prior to any product of Universal-developed products. If applicable, Universal will ask vendors to have their factories to complete the FQAS at the time of a Universal factory audit. In both cases, vendors must submit completed FQAS forms to Universal Compliance via Factory Audit team.
The FQAS and instructions (in English/Chinese) is available on the Resources tab on the Universal Compliance Portal.
Factory Pre-Shipment QC Inspection Checklist
Another tool available to Universal vendors is the Factory Pre-Shipment QC Inspection Checklist. The inspection checklist is used to identify issues in functionality, performance, durability, and overall appearance of an item. Checklists are available under the categories: Packaging, Hardlines, and Softlines. Use the checklist to inspect units randomly selected from all batches of Universal orders.
Universal uses the existing AQL approach utilized by many standards organizations. AQL stands for “Acceptable Quality Limit”. Vendors should use the AQL inspection level to determine the number of items to quality check, to identify any potential quality concerns. By proactively checking the production, the factory has the opportunity to take corrective action before the production units are packed, and thereby protect against costly import risks.
The AQL applied to Universal-developed products may be tightened at vendor's or Universal's option; the AQL may be lessened at Universal's sole option.
The Factory Pre-Shipment QC Inspection Checklist (in English/Chinese) is available on the Resources tab on the Universal Compliance Portal.
Quality Test Protocols
Also available to vendors are the Universal Quality Test Protocols – both for Hardlines and for Softlines. Vendors may use the Quality Test Protocol to select test evaluations for specific types of quality defects, such as colorfastness in fabrics.
Quality Test Protocols may also be used to verify vendor corrective actions.
The Universal Quality Test Protocols are available on the Resources tab on the Universal Compliance Portal.
Note: Vendor is responsible for all costs associated with quality testing requested by Universal for Universal-developed products.
Quality Corrective Action Plans (QCAPs)
If a product with a quality defect is received by Universal, vendors may expect to be contacted with options for investigation, remediation, return or refund.
In some instances, Universal will request vendors utilize a third-party to test a product with a previously-identified quality defect PRIOR to subsequent shipments.
QCAPs are available on the Resources tab on the Universal Compliance Portal.
For its Universal-developed products, Universal reserves the right to request at any time an additional point of quality assurance — an inspection of key product characteristics during production at the vendor's expense.
Product Inspections may apply to:
Vendor's product specifications and Universal-approved reference samples must be at the factory for inspections to take place.
Note: All costs associated with Product Inspections requested by Universal for Universal-developed products are the responsibility of the vendor.
During Production Inspection (DUPRO)
DUPRO inspections may be requested to be conducted during production of a Universal-developed product. This type of inspection takes place at the factory when 40 to 60% of total purchase order quantity is produced. The DUPRO covers completed products, and/or finished products and packaging.
NOTE: If an item's production quantity is not at minimum 40% produced, inspection may be cancelled and inspection rescheduling will be required. This applies to ALL items during a multiple item inspection. Detailed inspection requirements can be obtained from Universal Compliance or a Universal-nominated lab partner. Vendor completion of an online inspection booking form may be requested.
If Sample Collection testing is also required at the time of DUPRO, samples will be pulled and packaged by a Universal-nominated lab partner. The lab partner will photograph the samples and seal the cartons with tamper-proof closures. The vendor/factory is responsible for shipping the sealed carton to the lab for production testing. The vendor will be notified of this requirement as soon as possible. DUPRO Inspections will be performed upon request from Universal at the vendor's expense.
Failure to comply and pass the DUPRO can result in late shipment, product rework, added expediting cost or cancelled purchase orders.
Final Random Inspection (FRI)
Universal may request that Final Random Inspections be conducted following the production of a Universal-developed product to further assure quality compliance. A FRI will occur when a purchase order is 100% manufactured and at least 80% packed. Detailed inspection requirements can be obtained from the Universal-nominated lab. A FRI will be performed upon request from Universal at the vendor's expense.
A FRI may also be required if a significant quality failure occurs during a DUPRO inspection, at the discretion of Universal. The vendor will be notified of this requirement as soon as possible. Failure to comply and pass the FRI can result in late shipment, product rework, added expediting cost or canceled purchase orders.