Factory Auditing Report for Film Faced Plywood Supplier in Hanoi, Vietnam
Date of Audit: July 8, 2025
Prepared for: European Importer (Confidential)
1. Introduction
Our sourcing and QC team conducted a factory audit on July 8, 2025, in Hanoi, Vietnam, to evaluate a manufacturer producing Film Faced Plywood and other plywood types (including Radiata Pine & Eucalyptus Plywood) for the European market. The audit focused on compliance with the client’s factory auditing requirements, covering production capabilities, quality control, certifications, and ethical standards. Due to confidentiality agreements, the factory’s details are omitted.
2. Factory Overview
- Products:
- Film Faced Plywood (FFP)
- Radiata Pine & Eucalyptus Plywood (4mm–18mm thickness).
- Core Material: Mixed hardwood veneers from Vietnamese timber species (see Section 5).
- Key Markets: Europe (no anti-dumping/anti-circumvention duties applied).
3. European Film Faced Plywood Standards
3.1 Common Sizes (mm):
- 1220×2440, 1250×2500, 1500×3000.
- Thickness: 9mm, 12mm, 15mm, 18mm (4mm–30mm available).
3.2 Certifications & Compliance:
- FSC/PEFC (Chain of Custody for sustainable forestry).
- CE Marking (EN 13986:2004 for construction use).
- CARB Phase 2 / EPA TSCA Title VI (Formaldehyde emissions).
- EUTR/EUDR
- ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management).
- Fire Ratings: Class B (EN 13501-1).
4. Audit Key Findings
4.1 Production Capacity & Efficiency
- Raw Material: Uses Vietnamese mixed hardwoods (dense rubberwood cores reduce container loading efficiency; 16 pallets/40HQ vs. 17–20 for lighter species).
- Machinery: Automated glue spreaders, hydraulic hot presses (≥15 layers), film application.
4.2 Quality Control
- Testing Lab: Internal checks for glue bond (EN 314-2), moisture content (8–12%), and thickness tolerance (±0.2mm).
- Defect Rate: ≤1.5% (per batch sampling).
4.3 Social & Environmental Compliance
- Labor: No child labor; wages meet Vietnam minimum standards.
- Waste Management: Sawdust recycled for biomass fuel.
4.4 Client-Specific Requirements
- Verified compliance with the European importer’s anti-dumping avoidance clause (no Chinese/Malaysian/Indonesian transshipment).
5. Vietnamese Timber Species Used in Plywood
Common local species for core veneers:
- Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) – High density, heavy weight.
- Acacia (Acacia mangium) – Lightweight, fast-growing.
- Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.) – Stable, used for face veneers.
- Melaleuca (Melaleuca cajuputi) – Water-resistant.
- Mixed Hardwoods (“Tạp” species) – Low-cost, locally sourced.
6. Conclusion & Recommendations
- Strengths: Compliance with EU standards, no anti-dumping risks, robust QC.
- Weakness: Low container loading efficiency due to rubberwood weight.
- Action Plan: Supplier agreed to optimize core mixes (e.g., acacia/rubberwood blends) to improve logistics costs.
Report Submitted to Client: July 10, 2025.
Confidentiality Notice: All factory identifiers are redacted per NDA terms.
Note: Adjust pallet/container data as needed (e.g., 16 pallets @ 25–28 tons/40HQ for rubberwood vs. 20 pallets @ 22 tons for lighter cores).
