I have a question for my fellow covers. I have a sub-contractor that used expired lacquer on a product. It was expired by 6 days. They are saying if they get it tested by a independent lab and it is still good they will not except the lot back. Can they make that statement?
Let me know what you think. Thank you.

I have a question for my fellow covers. I have a sub-contractor that used expired lacquer on a product. It was expired by 6 days. They are saying if they get it tested by a independent lab and it is still good they will not except the lot back. Can they make that statement?
Let me know what you think. Thank you.

A few questions....

How did you found out about the expired lacquer?
What does your contract/P.O. say?
Have you've seen the "independent lab" testing results?
What would be the impact on your customer?
This can become an interesting legal issue.

Stijloor.

1. We found out about the expired laquer via an email from the DCMA QAR that services our subcontactor to our resident QAR at our plant.

2. Our Contact and PO specify the type of laquer that must be used, however the shelf life comes from the manufacturer not the MIL spec.

3. The sample is at the lab and I will not have the results until Monday.

4. As far as impact on our customer as of right now I have not assembled any product with the suspect parts with this laquer. I have isolatted the shipment until I can resolve the issues.

1. We found out about the expired laquer via an email from the DCMA QAR that services our subcontactor to our resident QAR at our plant.

2. Our Contact and PO specify the type of laquer that must be used, however the shelf life comes from the manufacturer not the MIL spec.

3. The sample is at the lab and I will not have the results until Monday.

4. As far as impact on our customer as of right now I have not assembled any product with the suspect parts with this laquer. I have isolated the shipment until I can resolve the issues.

You've done some "home work" already. That's good.

What does DCMA QAR mean?

Much of the oucome of this event will depend on how well the requirements are specified, understood and agreed upon between all parties involved.

Stijloor.

Sounds like you missed that in the contract, they should not be using old product. There could be failures due to this. I had a paint supplier that would toss paint if expired the evaparation rates for the solvents are known so the cat mixture will be off and could cause a host of problems from adhesion to cracking, discolouration, and god knows what else. It depends also on your companys risk factor for servicing the returned parts. It may be cheaper to strip and reapply than to risk returns. I would be looking for a new contractor, now is a good time to find them.