| Adhesive Chemistry |
Identify whether the product is water-based, solvent-based, or hybrid polymer-based, and confirm compatibility with the intended substrates. |
Chemistry, solids content, density, and viscosity must be consistent with the approved technical data sheet. |
Current technical data sheet, safety data sheet, formulation change-control procedure, and batch specification. |
Critical |
Different chemistries have different drying behavior, odor profiles, substrate limitations, and storage requirements. |
| Bond Strength |
Review shear, tensile, peel, and lap-shear performance on the actual materials used by the buyer. |
Test results should meet the agreed project specification after the stated curing period, not only immediately after application. |
Independent or controlled laboratory reports, test method references, substrate details, curing conditions, and sample identification. |
Critical |
Initial tack alone does not prove durable structural or semi-structural bonding. |
| Open Time and Cure Time |
Measure working time, fixture time, full cure time, and performance at the temperatures and humidity expected during use. |
Results should remain within the approved tolerance under both standard and defined low-temperature conditions. |
Application test report showing temperature, relative humidity, bead size, substrate porosity, and test interval. |
High |
Incorrect cure expectations can cause assembly delays, bond failure, or premature loading. |
| Substrate Compatibility |
Check adhesion to wood, concrete, plasterboard, metal, ceramic, glass, painted surfaces, and common plastics where relevant. |
Use only on substrates validated by testing; porous and non-porous surfaces should be assessed separately. |
Substrate-specific adhesion matrix, application instructions, primer requirements, and failure-mode photographs. |
Critical |
A product that bonds well to one surface may fail on low-energy plastics, dusty masonry, or coated materials. |
| Water and Moisture Resistance |
Confirm resistance after water immersion, high humidity, and repeated wet-dry cycles when the product is intended for humid areas. |
Use the applicable water-resistance classification or project-specific test protocol; do not rely on the phrase “waterproof” alone. |
Test method, exposure duration, temperature, bond-strength retention, and clearly defined product claims. |
High |
Moisture resistance is essential for kitchens, bathrooms, exterior-adjacent applications, and humid transport conditions. |
| Temperature Performance |
Evaluate service temperature, freeze-thaw stability, transport limits, and application temperature range. |
Declared limits must be supported by test data and must match the intended climate and logistics route. |
Temperature-cycle report, storage specification, freeze-thaw data where applicable, and packaging instructions. |
High |
Temperature extremes can change viscosity, delay curing, or permanently reduce bond strength. |
| VOC and Indoor-Air Safety |
Review volatile organic compound content, emissions, odor, ventilation requirements, and suitability for indoor use. |
Claims should be supported by the destination-market requirements and a current SDS prepared under the relevant hazard-communication rules. |
VOC test report, SDS Sections 2, 3, 8, and 15, emissions documentation, and indoor-use instructions. |
Critical |
Low odor does not automatically mean low emissions or unrestricted indoor safety. |
| Chemical Compliance |
Screen for restricted substances and confirm compliance with applicable destination-market chemical regulations. |
Obtain a current compliance declaration for requirements such as EU REACH and applicable restricted-substance rules; verify local obligations separately. |
Signed declaration, representative raw-material information, laboratory screening where required, and regulatory monitoring records. |
Critical |
Regulatory requirements differ by market and may apply to substances, packaging, labels, or articles containing the adhesive. |
| Quality Management |
Assess production controls, incoming-material inspection, batch traceability, nonconformance handling, and corrective actions. |
Prefer a documented quality-management system such as ISO 9001, with a valid certificate covering the relevant manufacturing site and scope. |
Certificate verification, process flow chart, inspection plan, calibration records, batch records, and corrective-action examples. |
High |
A certification is useful only when its issuing body, site, scope, and validity can be verified. |
| Packaging and Dispensing |
Check cartridge or tube compatibility, nozzle design, seal integrity, extrusion force, labeling, and tamper evidence. |
No leakage, blockage, or unacceptable extrusion variation during shelf-life and transport simulation tests. |
Packaging specification, compatibility test, drop or vibration test, seal test, artwork proof, and packaging batch traceability. |
High |
Packaging failures can make a chemically compliant adhesive unusable or create leakage and exposure hazards. |
| Shelf Life and Storage |
Verify unopened shelf life, recommended storage temperature, protection from freezing, and lot-based expiry control. |
Shelf-life claims should be supported by real-time or validated accelerated stability data and printed lot/expiry information. |
Stability study, retained-sample program, warehouse conditions, FIFO/FEFO procedure, and expiry-label example. |
High |
Viscosity drift, skin formation, separation, and reduced adhesion often appear after poor storage or extended aging. |
| Production Capacity |
Review monthly capacity, filling-line capability, minimum order quantity, lead time, and capacity during peak periods. |
Capacity commitments should be supported by production planning records and should include contingency arrangements. |
Capacity statement, production schedule, equipment list, lead-time history, and business-continuity plan. |
Medium |
Reliable supply is necessary for global buyers managing launches, private-label programs, and replenishment orders. |
| Pre-Shipment Inspection |
Define inspection levels for appearance, fill weight, viscosity, packaging, labeling, and random bond-performance checks. |
Use an agreed sampling plan, documented acceptance limits, and a retained sample from every production lot. |
Inspection checklist, certificate of analysis, sampling plan, lot-release record, and independent inspection option. |
High |
Lot release controls reduce the risk of receiving products that differ from the approved reference sample. |
| Documentation and Traceability |
Confirm that each shipment can be linked to raw materials, production date, batch number, test results, and destination-market label. |
Every unit and carton should carry readable lot information that remains traceable through the distribution chain. |
Batch coding format, certificate of analysis, SDS, technical data sheet, carton marking, and recall procedure. |
Critical |
Traceability supports complaint investigation, targeted recalls, regulatory responses, and product-liability management. |
| Independent Verification |
Use an accredited or technically competent laboratory for disputed or high-risk claims. |
Test reports should identify the sample, method, equipment, conditions, results, deviations, and laboratory credentials. |
Laboratory accreditation or competence evidence, original report, chain-of-custody record, and retained production sample. |
High |
Independent verification reduces reliance on unsupported marketing claims and improves buyer confidence. |
