As I stated earlier, most do simply need a copy of the ISO certificate. It's more the exception now, but we still get a few each year where we get asked to sign a supplier agreement.
I see several comments about my "Printer" example, where yes you can quite literally rationalize any situation to merit your argument...doesn't mean your logic is sound. "But I use the printer for blueprints or providing whatever to the customer..." What you hand over to a customer that YOU didn't make = supplier. Because you didn't manufacture or maybe test the part, you seek assurances through said "Supplier Agreement."
That's not the case with the equipment you use in creating your product.
A supplier for a business provides something that business passes on to IT'S customers.
When I use a wrench to attach two parts supplied, then I sell this assembly...the WRENCH is NOT a supplier to that customer; but the two parts supplied ARE.
The wrench had specs, it was evaluated/vetted and judged to perform the task needed by the company. This company is then tasked with using and maintaining this equipment. Someone said, but what about updates? corrections? Can't these affect the customer? Yup, but just as OSHA will tell you...it's the COMPANY that has the responsibility for proper use of equipment and ensuring safe use...NOT THE SUPPLIER OF THE EQUIPMENT!!!
This is also true for output. If the equipment is not performing as needed and now customer product is suspect or worse bad...it's NOT the equipment; it's ALWAYS the company and it's ability to properly evaluate THEIR OUTPUT before shipping that is responsible.
Output that can be affected by equipment and gets shipped to a customer isn't properly being evaluated.
Output that can be affected by a supplier IS a shared responsibility as the COMPANY (typically) can't or doesn't have the ability to
continually evaluate this product.
