Factory Audit in Pakistan
A factory audit in Pakistan tells you who you are really buying from before the first order. We assess capability, working conditions and health and safety on site, and then give you a written report with findings and corrective actions.
What a Factory Audit in Pakistan Tells You
ProQ Sourcing is a sourcing and inspection agent based in Sialkot. We are not a certification body, and we do not issue certificates. Instead, we assess a factory against your own checklist or a standard questionnaire, and we report what we see so you can decide.
Buyers increasingly need to know how their goods are made, not just what they look like. Customers, retailers and regulators ask about wages, working hours, child labour and safety. Therefore a supplier that looks fine on paper still needs to be seen in person.
An audit also shows whether the factory can deliver. A factory capability assessment covers machines, people and systems, so you can judge both ethics and ability in one visit.
What Our Audits Cover
Each audit combines a social compliance audit, a health and safety audit and a capability review. You can also choose only the parts you need.
Legal documents
We check business registration, licences and other legal documents that the factory should hold.
Capacity and machinery
We review production lines, machine types and condition, and the realistic output for your product.
Workforce and hours
We look at headcount, working hours, overtime records and wage payment practice.
Child and forced labour
We check age records and hiring practice, and we look for signs of forced or bonded labour.
Fire safety and exits
We check fire extinguishers, alarms, marked exits, clear aisles and evacuation plans.
Chemicals and subcontracting
We check how chemicals are stored and labelled, and whether any work is sent to other units.
How a Supplier Audit Works
A typical supplier audit in Sialkot or nearby cities follows four steps. The checklist is agreed before the visit.
1. Agree the checklist
You share your code of conduct or checklist. If you have none, we use a standard questionnaire.
2. Plan the visit
We arrange the visit and request the documents we need to review on site.
3. On-site audit
We walk the factory, review records and speak with managers and, where possible, workers.
4. Report
We send a written report with findings, photos and a corrective-action list.
What You Receive
The audit report is written for buyers, so it is clear about what matters and what can wait.
- A written audit report with photos
- Findings grouped by area: legal, labour, safety, environment and capability
- A risk rating for each finding
- A corrective-action list with suggested deadlines
- Notes on capacity and suitability for your product
If the factory agrees to fix the issues, we can return for a follow-up visit and check the corrective actions.
Health and Safety Audit Checklist
Health and safety is the area where problems are most visible on the floor. This overview of occupational safety and health explains the wider principles. Below are the main points we check during each audit.
Fire and building
- Fire extinguishers in date and accessible
- Marked, unlocked emergency exits
- Clear aisles and stairways
- Evacuation plan and drills
Machines and PPE
- Guards on cutting and sewing machines
- Safe electrical wiring
- Protective equipment provided and used
- First aid kits and trained staff
Environment
- Chemical storage and labelling
- Waste handling and recycling
- Water and energy practices
- Ventilation and lighting
Common Findings in Factory Audits
Every factory is different, but some findings come up again and again. These are the most common ones.
Locked or blocked exits
Emergency exits blocked by stock or locked during shifts are among the most serious findings. We walk every exit route and photograph what we find.
Incomplete working-hour records
Missing or inconsistent time records make it hard to confirm hours and overtime. Therefore we compare the records with what we see and hear on the floor.
Unguarded machines
Missing guards on cutting and sewing machines put workers at risk of injury. We check guards and note where protective equipment is not used.
Undisclosed subcontractors
Some factories send work to units the buyer has never seen. We ask about subcontracting and look for signs of it, such as processes missing on site.
Who This Service Suits
New suppliers
Before a first order, an audit shows whether a supplier meets your standards and can deliver.
Retail and brand buyers
If your customers or retailers ask for social compliance, an audit gives you a documented starting point.
Existing suppliers
Regular audits show whether a supplier is improving, and they help you plan corrective actions.
Capability Assessment: What We Look At
Alongside compliance, most buyers want to know whether a factory can actually make their product well. That is why every audit includes a capability review.
Machines
Types, number and condition of machines, and whether they suit your product and volume.
People
Skill levels, supervision, quality staff and how training is handled on the floor.
Systems
Incoming material checks, in-line quality control, final checks and how records are kept.
Capacity planning
How the factory schedules orders, and whether your quantity and date fit around existing work.
Fees for Factory Audits
Our fee is quoted per project and agreed in writing before work starts. It depends on the factory size, the audit scope and whether a follow-up visit is needed.
Because we are not a certification body, our audit is not a certificate. However, it gives you a clear, independent view to support your own decisions or a later formal audit.
Products We Audit Factories For
Leather & Leather Products
Jackets, motorbike suits, footwear, bags and small leather goods.
Questions About Factory Audits
Scope and standards
Is your audit the same as a certification audit?
No. ProQ is not a certification body, so we do not issue certificates. We assess the factory against your checklist or a standard questionnaire and report what we see. Many buyers use our audit before a first order or to prepare for a formal audit.
Can you audit against my company’s code of conduct?
Yes. Send us your code of conduct or supplier manual, and we turn it into a checklist for the visit. As a result, the report follows the same structure as your own requirements.
Do you audit environmental practices?
Yes, at a practical level. We check chemical storage, waste handling, water and energy use, and ventilation. For detailed environmental testing, however, a specialist lab is needed, and we can tell you when that applies.
During and after the audit
Will the factory know about the audit in advance?
Usually yes, because we need access to records and managers. Some buyers prefer short-notice visits; we can discuss that option, although some factories may refuse it.
What happens after a factory fails some points?
We list each issue with a risk rating and a suggested deadline. The factory then fixes the issues, and we can check them on a follow-up visit. You decide whether to place orders in the meantime.
Can an audit replace product inspections?
No. An audit looks at the factory and its systems, while an inspection checks the goods in a specific order. Most buyers use an audit before the first order and inspections on every order after that.
Audit a Factory Before You Order
Send us the factory details and your checklist or code of conduct. We then reply with next steps and a written quote for a factory audit in Pakistan.
Related: Supplier verification · Inspections · Production follow-up · How it works · Contact us