Free template
Supplier corrective action request (SCAR) form
A supplier corrective action request (SCAR) is a formal request to a supplier to contain a problem with their parts, find the root cause and fix it so it does not come back. Page 1 of this form is filled in by the customer: the supplier and part, where the problem was found, the problem against the requirement with evidence, the containment asked for, and the dates each part of the response is due. Pages 2 and 3 are the supplier's answer in 8D-style sections: the team, the problem as they understand it, containment with quantities sorted, the root cause of why it was made and why it was not caught, the corrective actions, proof they work, what was changed to stop it coming back, and closure. The last section is the customer's verification and sign-off.
Free to use: print it, copy it and edit it for your team. Enter your name and work email once to download.
When to use it
When to use a SCAR
- When parts from a supplier fail a requirement at receiving, in your process or at your customer.
- For a repeat problem from the same supplier, or one serious enough to need a formal root cause.
- When you need the supplier to contain stock at their site and in transit by a set date.
- To keep a record of supplier problems and responses for supplier reviews.
How to fill it in
- 1
Describe the problem with evidence
The requirement with its drawing and revision, what was found against it, how many and how it was found. Attach photos, data or sample parts.
- 2
Ask for containment by a date
Tick what you need: sorting at their site, in transit or at yours, replacement parts, marked shipments.
- 3
Set the response dates
Dates for containment, for the root cause and planned actions, and for closure.
- 4
The supplier investigates
Team, problem, containment, and the root cause of both the occurrence and the escape, confirmed with data.
- 5
The supplier fixes and proves it
Corrective actions with owners and dates, evidence they work, and the documents and similar parts updated.
- 6
Verify and close
Check the next lots or audit the supplier, accept or return the response, and close when the problem has not come back.
A filled-in example
Illustrative, not a benchmarkAn example: a SCAR for plating on brackets (illustrative).
- Problem: zinc plating thickness required 8 to 12 microns on drawing 2217 rev B; 5 to 6 microns measured on 30 of 50 brackets from lot 0931. Photos and readings attached.
- Containment asked for: sort all stock at the supplier and in transit, replace the rejected parts, and mark the next three shipments as checked. Due in two days.
- Supplier root cause: the plating line's rectifier ran low after a repair (occurrence), and the thickness check was once a shift instead of once a load (escape).
- Actions: rectifier recalibrated and added to their PM, thickness checked every load, control plan updated.
The next five lots were checked at receiving and all were in spec, so the SCAR was closed and the supplier's scorecard noted a 9-day response.
Common mistakes
No evidence
A SCAR without the requirement, measurements and photos invites an argument instead of an investigation.
No dates
Set a date for containment and for each part of the response, and chase them.
Accepting "operator error"
Send back a response that blames a person without saying why the process let it happen and why it was not caught.
Closing on the paperwork
Close only after the next lots show the problem has gone.
Download the template
Free to use: print it, copy it and edit it for your team. Enter your name and work email once to download.
Run this template in LeanSuite
In LeanSuite, when an inspector flags a defect the batch is quarantined and a SCAR with photos goes to Quality and Procurement, and the SCAR's lifecycle, including the days the supplier took to respond, feeds the supplier's scorecard.
In the lean glossary
Free tools
FAQ
Supplier corrective action request (SCAR) form: common questions
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