SNI Factory Audit for Motor Vehicle Wheels in Indonesia
A factory audit for SNI wheels is one of the important stages in the certification process for motor vehicle wheels. The audit is conducted to assess the manufacturer’s ability to maintain consistency in the production process and ensure that the products manufactured comply with the applicable standards.
Motor vehicle wheels are products subject to mandatory SNI requirements. SNI 1896:2008 applies to wheels for vehicles in categories M, N, and O, while SNI 4658:2015 applies to wheels for vehicles in category L. The mandatory implementation is regulated under Minister of Industry Regulation No. 71 of 2024.
The factory audit does not only examine production facilities but also evaluates raw materials, production processes, quality control, inspection and testing equipment, documentation, and the company’s ability to ensure that manufactured products remain consistent with the samples that have been assessed.
What Is an SNI Wheel Factory Audit?
An SNI wheel factory audit is an assessment of production facilities and systems conducted as part of the conformity assessment process for SNI certification. The audit aims to ensure that the manufacturer has adequate capabilities to consistently produce wheels according to the applicable standard requirements.
For wheel certification, the assessment is not based solely on product test results. Production facility capabilities and quality control systems are also part of the certification process.
For motor vehicle wheels, the certification scheme established under Minister of Industry Regulation No. 71 of 2024 uses a Type 5 certification system, which includes initial certification, surveillance, and recertification.
Therefore, factory readiness is one of the important factors before a company applies for SNI wheel certification.
SNI Standards Used for Wheels
Before the audit is conducted, manufacturers need to ensure that the applicable standard corresponds to the vehicle category and product.
The standards used include:
- SNI 1896:2008, Wheels for Motor Vehicles Category M, N and O.
- SNI 4658:2015, Wheels for Motor Vehicles Category L.
SNI 1896:2008 applies to wheels for vehicles in categories M, N, and O, while SNI 4658:2015 is used for wheels for vehicles in category L.
Determining the applicable standard is important because the scope of products and technical requirements assessed may differ.
Objectives of an SNI Wheel Factory Audit
The factory audit is conducted to ensure that the production facility has the capability to consistently manufacture products according to the applicable standard.
The main objectives of the audit include:
- Ensuring that production processes comply with certification requirements.
- Ensuring that raw materials are properly controlled.
- Ensuring that production equipment is available and functional.
- Ensuring that inspection and testing processes are implemented consistently.
- Ensuring that manufactured products comply with certified product specifications.
- Ensuring that quality documentation and records are available.
- Ensuring that nonconforming products are properly controlled.
Through the audit, the LSPro can obtain an overview of the manufacturer’s ability to maintain product consistency.
What Is Checked During an SNI Wheel Factory Audit?
Factory Legality and Profile
Auditors may examine company identity, production facility address, scope of activities, and information related to the products submitted for certification.
The information in the documents must be consistent with the actual factory conditions. If there are differences in the company name, address, facility, or production scope, the company needs to clarify the status of such changes before the audit.
Raw Materials
Raw materials are an important part of wheel production. Auditors may assess how the company receives, inspects, identifies, stores, and controls raw materials.
Documents related to raw materials need to be traceable so that the company can demonstrate the relationship between the materials used and the products manufactured.
Production Process
The production process is one of the main audit areas. Auditors will examine whether production stages are carried out according to the procedures established by the company.
Wheel production may involve different stages depending on the material and production method. Therefore, companies need to have production procedures appropriate to their product characteristics.
Production Machinery and Equipment
The availability and condition of machinery are part of production facility readiness. Companies need to ensure that machinery used is appropriate for the production process and maintained in a condition that supports product consistency.
Machine maintenance records should also be available where required by the company’s quality control system.
Inspection and Testing Equipment
Inspection and testing equipment is used to ensure that product characteristics comply with established requirements.
Auditors may examine equipment availability, usage methods, calibration status, and inspection records when the equipment is used for measurements affecting product quality.
Control of Nonconforming Products
Companies must have mechanisms for handling products that do not comply with requirements.
Control may include identification, segregation, evaluation, correction, rework, or disposition of nonconforming products according to company procedures.
Documents to Prepare for the Audit
Before the factory audit is conducted, companies should prepare documents related to the production system and quality control.
Documents that generally need to be prepared include:
- Company legality and profile.
- Organization structure.
- Production process flowchart.
- Production procedures.
- Quality control procedures.
- Raw material data.
- Raw material specifications.
- Production machinery and equipment data.
- Inspection and testing equipment data.
- Machine maintenance records.
- Measuring equipment calibration records.
- Product inspection records.
- Nonconforming product control procedures.
- Corrective action records.
- Product specification documents.
These documents need to be adjusted to the requirements of the LSPro and the certification scheme used. Not all documents have the same format for every manufacturer.
SNI Wheel Factory Audit Stages
Audit Preparation
Before the audit, the LSPro and company determine the assessment requirements and schedule. The manufacturer needs to ensure that responsible personnel are available during the audit.
At this stage, the company should also conduct an internal review of facilities, documents, production processes, and quality records.
Document Review
Auditors review documents related to production processes, quality control, product specifications, and the systems used by the company to maintain product consistency.
The documents provided must correspond to the actual factory conditions.
Production Facility Inspection
Auditors then inspect the production facilities directly. The inspection may cover raw material areas, production processes, storage, inspection, testing, and finished product areas.
The facilities must be capable of supporting production processes within the scope of the submitted products.
Interviews and Verification
Auditors may interview personnel responsible for production and quality control. The purpose is to verify that procedures stated in the documents are actually implemented in the field.
Auditors may also verify production records, inspection results, testing results, and corrective actions.
Reporting of Findings
If nonconformities are identified, the audit findings will be communicated to the company. The company then needs to provide corrective actions according to the established procedures.
Audit Result Evaluation
The audit results become part of the overall conformity assessment process. Certification decisions are made based on the evaluation of all certification stages, including product testing and production process assessment.
SNI Wheel Factory Audit for Domestic Manufacturers
For domestic manufacturers, the audit is conducted at the production facility manufacturing the wheel products submitted for certification.
Manufacturers need to ensure that facilities, machinery, production processes, quality control systems, and documentation are ready for inspection.
An important point is consistency between the tested products and products manufactured routinely. Changes in materials, designs, production processes, or product specifications need to be controlled to prevent nonconformities in certified products.
SNI Wheel Factory Audit for Imported Products
For imported products, the certification process may involve manufacturers located outside Indonesia. Importers need to coordinate with overseas manufacturers to prepare the required documents and production facilities.
Overseas manufacturers need to demonstrate production and quality control capabilities according to certification requirements. Minister of Industry Regulation No. 71 of 2024 also regulates requirements concerning overseas manufacturers and official representatives within the wheel certification scheme.
Because the factory is located overseas, companies also need to consider assessment scheduling, personnel coordination, and travel and accommodation costs where required.
What Should Be Done If There Are Audit Findings?
Audit findings do not necessarily mean that certification will immediately be rejected. The company may be given an opportunity to take corrective action according to the certification process requirements.
Corrective action needs to address the root cause and be supported by evidence of improvement that can be verified. After corrective actions are completed, the LSPro may evaluate the evidence provided or conduct a follow-up assessment if necessary.
Therefore, companies should not only correct conditions at the time of the audit but also ensure that the improved system can be implemented consistently.
Preparation Before an SNI Wheel Factory Audit
Before auditors arrive at the production facility, companies should conduct an internal review.
The following should be considered:
- Ensure company and technical documents are complete.
- Ensure the production process flowchart reflects actual conditions.
- Ensure production machinery and equipment are ready for use.
- Ensure measuring instruments have appropriate calibration status.
- Ensure inspection procedures are implemented.
- Ensure production records are available.
- Ensure inspection and testing records are available.
- Ensure raw materials are traceable.
- Ensure nonconforming products are controlled.
- Ensure relevant personnel understand their responsibilities.
These preparations help companies approach the audit in a more structured manner and reduce the risk of nonconformities that could have been identified and corrected before the audit.
Cost of an SNI Wheel Factory Audit
The cost of an SNI wheel factory audit cannot be determined using one tariff for all companies. Costs may be affected by factory location, number of auditors, assessment duration, product scope, and travel requirements when the production facility is located overseas.
For overseas manufacturers, auditor travel and accommodation may become additional cost components. In addition to audit costs, companies also need to consider laboratory testing, sampling, certification, surveillance, and other costs according to the applicable scheme.
Therefore, the cost estimate should be prepared after information regarding factory location, product type, number of types, and certification scope is available.
How Long Does an SNI Wheel Factory Audit Take?
The audit duration depends on product scope, facility size and complexity, number of processes assessed, number of personnel, and requirements for document and record verification.
An audit may take longer if the production facility has multiple production lines or many product types within the certification scope.
To help the process run effectively, companies should prepare the required documents, personnel, facilities, and records before the audit date.
Contact Us
Biruni Consulting helps companies with SNI wheel factory audits professionally and in accordance with applicable regulations in Indonesia.
Our services include
- Consultation on SNI wheel regulations.
- Identification of applicable standards.
- Audit document preparation.
- Production facility readiness assessment.
- Laboratory testing assistance.
- Factory audit or assessment assistance.
- Corrective action assistance.
- Certification processing until certificate issuance.
With extensive experience in product certification in Indonesia, Biruni Consulting helps ensure products comply with applicable safety, quality, and standard requirements so that they are ready for legal distribution in Indonesia.
Contact Us for consultation, audit preparation, certification assistance, and SNI wheel processing according to the product type and company requirements.
