| Silicone Material Specification | Clearly identified silicone rubber grade, color, hardness, operating-temperature range, and applicable environmental requirements. | Approved material specification, technical data sheet, batch traceability record, and incoming-material inspection procedure. | 15% | All material parameters are documented and linked to the finished wiper design. | Material consistency directly affects wiping quality, aging resistance, and product life. |
| Hardness and Mechanical Properties | Hardness commonly screened around 50–70 Shore A, unless the vehicle application requires another value. Target tensile and elongation values must be defined by product specification. | Third-party or in-house test reports using ASTM D2240 for hardness and ASTM D412 for tensile properties. | 12% | Measured results remain within the approved product specification for every production batch. | Incorrect hardness can cause chatter, streaking, excessive wear, or poor contact with the glass. |
| Compression Set and Elastic Recovery | Low compression set after heat exposure; the exact limit should be established for the planned temperature and service period. | Compression-set testing under ASTM D395 or ISO 815, with test temperature, duration, and sample details recorded. | 10% | The result meets the agreed limit after simulated thermal aging. | Good elastic recovery helps the blade maintain uniform glass contact during repeated use. |
| Wiping Performance | No unacceptable streaking, skipping, chatter, or untreated areas during dry and wet wiping cycles. | Representative samples tested on the intended windshield curvature with defined water volume, wiping speed, pressure, and cycle count. | 15% | Samples meet the approved visual and functional acceptance criteria throughout the test cycle. | Laboratory material data cannot replace actual performance testing on the target glass shape. |
| UV, Ozone, and Weather Resistance | Resistance to sunlight, ozone, humidity, temperature changes, and outdoor exposure appropriate to the target market. | Accelerated weathering plan, ozone-resistance test where applicable, before-and-after visual inspection, and performance comparison. | 12% | No unacceptable cracking, hardening, swelling, tackiness, or loss of wiping performance. | Windshield wipers are exposed to weather, ultraviolet radiation, water, and temperature changes. |
| Design and Vehicle Fit | Correct blade length, connector compatibility, spoiler geometry, profile, curvature, and end-cap retention for each application. | Engineering drawings, dimensional inspection records, vehicle fit samples, and connector pull-off or retention testing. | 12% | The product installs correctly and remains secure throughout the specified test conditions. | A high-quality rubber compound cannot compensate for an incorrect adapter or blade profile. |
| Quality Management System | Documented quality-management processes; ISO 9001 certification is a useful baseline. IATF 16949 may be relevant for automotive supply programs. | Valid certificate, certification scope, latest audit status, corrective-action records, and process-control documents. | 10% | The certificate is valid, covers the relevant site and activities, and is independently verifiable. | A formal system improves consistency, corrective action, change control, and traceability. |
| Chemical and Regulatory Compliance | Product and packaging requirements aligned with the destination market, including applicable REACH and RoHS obligations. | Material declarations, restricted-substance test reports, supplier declarations, and documented change-notification procedures. | 8% | Documentation matches the exact product, material formulation, and destination-market requirements. | Compliance documents reduce customs, customer-approval, and restricted-substance risks. |
| Process Control and Traceability | Controlled molding, coating or surface-treatment, trimming, assembly, inspection, and packing processes. | Process flow chart, control plan, inspection standards, equipment calibration records, lot codes, and retention samples. | 8% | The supplier can trace finished goods back to material and production records by lot. | Traceability makes root-cause analysis and targeted recalls more manageable. |
| Sampling and Pre-Shipment Inspection | Written sampling plan covering appearance, dimensions, connector function, packaging, and wiping performance. | Approved golden sample, inspection checklist, acceptance criteria, inspection report, and retained production samples. | 5% | Inspection results are released before shipment and are supported by objective records. | Pre-shipment controls help prevent mixed specifications, cosmetic defects, and packing errors. |
| Tooling, Development, and Change Control | Ability to manage drawings, molds, engineering changes, sample approvals, and production transfer. | Tooling ownership terms, revision-controlled drawings, sample approval records, and formal engineering-change notices. | 5% | No design or material change is made without documented approval and customer notification. | Controlled development reduces fitment problems and protects approved product performance. |
| Commercial and Supply Reliability | Transparent quotation, defined minimum order quantity, realistic lead time, packaging specification, warranty terms, and agreed Incoterms. | Signed quotation, production schedule, capacity statement, on-time-delivery records, and written warranty or claim procedure. | 3% | Commercial terms are measurable, written, and consistent with the supplier's demonstrated capacity. | Clear terms reduce supply interruptions and disputes after purchase orders are placed. |