Re: Supplier Classifications - Please give me a good definition of the following term
Each company should develop their own supplier classification and definitions.
Using only two levels, critical and non-critical is too simplistic, in my opinion, and results in very inflexible system. I typically recommend to have 4 categories/levels based on risk (critical, major, minor, trivial) and apply various controls to each supplier category, with increasing scrutiny for higher risk suppliers.
As far as I know, only Health Canada provides a definition of their meaning of a critical supplier.
From GD211 Guidance on the Content of Quality Management System audit reports:
"Supplier, Critical
A supplier delivering materials, components, or services, that may influence the safety and performance of the product.
Note: In the context of the audit of medical device manufacturers, a critical supplier is a supplier of a product or service, the failure of which to meet specified requirements could cause unreasonable risk to the patient, clinician or others, or could cause a significant degradation in performance. This can include suppliers of services which are needed for compliance with QMS or regulatory requirements. (SG4N84:2010).
In addition to the definitions above, the definitions found in the following documents applies:
ISO 9000:2005 Quality management systems - Fundamentals and vocabulary
ISO/IEC 17000:2004 - Conformity assessment - Vocabulary and general principles"
Similar discussion of significant suppliers (in particular on page 12) is provided in GD210: ISO 13485:2003 Quality Management System Audits Performed by Health Canada Recognized Registrars.