Technical Guides
QC report vs. test report vs. certificate: what buyers should request
Three document types that are often confused, and what each one actually proves.
· 5 min read · Best Plywood Supply
Internal QC report
Produced by the manufacturer for a specific batch or shipment. It records checks such as thickness, dimensions, moisture and surface against agreed acceptance criteria. It shows process control. It is not independent.
Laboratory test report
Issued by a testing laboratory for a submitted sample, using a named standard method (e.g. EN 310 or DIN 51130). It is objective evidence for that sample only. Most reports state that results refer to the tested sample.
Third-party certificate
Issued by an accredited certification body after an audit of a system or product scope, for example an FSC Chain of Custody certificate. Always read the scope: a CoC certificate covers the company's control system. A product is covered only when the FSC claim appears on sales documents.
Declaration of Performance
Under the EU Construction Products Regulation, a DoP declares the performance of a construction product against its harmonised standard (for wood-based panels, EN 13986). It is linked to CE marking.