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QIMA’s Dr. Ming Lee on Why Lab Testing is Essential for Building Trust and Ensuring Quality
SJ Studio
4 min read
Supply chains today are facing unprecedented challenges, like evolving regulations and complex supplier relationships, which make ensuring compliance and maintaining product quality more critical—and daunting—than ever. To address these issues, lab testing has become increasingly prevalent, serving as a powerful tool to strengthen processes, improve product quality and enhance customer satisfaction, according to QIMA, a leader in quality control, compliance and sustainability solutions.
Dr. Ming Lee, global technical lab testing services director at QIMA.
Here, Dr. Ming Lee, global technical lab testing services director at QIMA, discusses some of the challenges associated with lab testing and how QIMA is tackling them with its suite of solutions and expertise.
SOURCING JOURNAL: How have recent global disruptions reshaped the function of lab testing in supply chain management?
Dr. Ming Lee: The increasing sourcing complexity and demands for sustainability have redefined the role of lab testing in supply chains. The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global sourcing, emphasizing the need for consistent quality assurance. Simultaneously, sustainability standards have intensified compliance requirements, with brands needing to verify material claims and ensure ethical sourcing.
Lab testing now plays a proactive role in addressing these challenges head-on. In fact, businesses are turning to rigorous lab testing to safeguard supply chains, manage compliance and maintain consumer trust in a volatile market.
How can lab testing be adapted to keep pace with the rapid innovation in consumer products without compromising compliance standards?
M.L.: As consumer product innovation accelerates, lab testing must evolve to verify new materials and technologies effectively. For instance, the surge in demand for sustainable materials requires detailed testing to validate claims like biodegradability and recycled content. Similarly, emerging product categories like smart textiles necessitate testing that confirms both functionality and compliance with safety standards.
At QIMA, we rely on our team’s extensive expertise in textiles and consumer goods. We have a network of labs worldwide, which allows us to offer testing tailored to each product’s unique requirements.
What are companies’ most common compliance challenges in fast-paced production cycles, and how can lab testing address these?
M.L.: Fast production cycles pose risks such as inconsistent material quality, fragmented supplier communication and inadequate oversight. These challenges can lead to non-compliance, recalls and reputational damage. Lab testing serves as a crucial solution, verifying product safety and regulatory adherence at every stage.
Our recent barometer highlighted those tightening regulations—including restrictions on hazardous substances like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—have driven increased demand for lab testing across industries.
By integrating comprehensive testing protocols, companies can mitigate risks while maintaining compliance in dynamic production environments. Lab testing also ensures consistency in materials and performance, enabling brands to stay ahead of regulatory requirements.
What strategies can companies use to balance cost-efficiency with the need for rigorous lab testing, especially when managing a diversified and global supply chain?
M.L.: Balancing cost and quality in lab testing requires a strategic approach. Conducting risk assessments to identify high-priority products or regions can help allocate resources effectively. Businesses should rely on a global partner like QIMA to reduce redundancies and ensure uniform quality standards across locations.
Additionally, using data-driven insights from lab tests enhances decision-making, allowing companies to address compliance issues proactively and avoid costly recalls. Our integrated lab testing services help clients achieve cost efficiency without compromising safety or performance.
In your experience, how does integrating lab testing data into supply chain decision-making contribute to long-term resilience and consumer trust?
M.L.: At QIMA, we believe that lab testing performance indicators should not stand alone but be analyzed alongside inspection and audit data to make more informed decisions. Our new platform, myQIMA, offers users a centralized view of inspection, audits and lab testing key performance indicators (KPIs). This integrated approach allows companies to compare test results across products and suppliers, helping them identify patterns, manage risks and drive improvements in their supply chains.
This level of data integration transforms lab testing from a compliance tool into a strategic asset, enhancing transparency and building consumer trust by consistently delivering safe and compliant products.
As we approach 2025, what emerging trends or innovations in lab testing do you see playing a critical role in helping supply chains adapt to increasing pressures around sustainability, compliance and rapid production demands?
M.L.: Emerging trends in lab testing include advanced sustainability verification, such as testing for recycled content, biodegradability and compliance with stricter hazardous substance restrictions. As regulatory requirements grow more stringent, lab testing remains essential to ensuring compliance, transparency and product safety.
QIMA takes a proactive and committed approach to these challenges, combining its global network of accredited labs with extensive expertise across textiles, apparel and consumer goods. QIMA supports businesses in navigating complex regulations and meeting evolving consumer expectations by delivering actionable insights, industry expertise and onsite visibility that integrate sustainability and compliance into supply chain operations.
To learn more about QIMA and its offerings, click here.
