Security Procedure
Secure storage of duplicate fiber samples under tamper-evident seals protects the integrity of future quality audits. This practice, known as sealed escrow sampling, involves drawing samples at the time of loading and storing them with an independent third party. It serves as a safeguard against tampering.
Sample Chain
The samples are packed in airtight, heavy-duty plastic bags that are sealed with uniquely numbered security tags. Both the buyer and the seller must sign the paperwork accompanying the sealed samples. These samples are then stored in a secure, climate-controlled environment to prevent degradation.
The storage facility must maintain detailed logs of custody to ensure that the samples are never exposed to unauthorized personnel or environmental fluctuations that could affect their moisture content.
Legal Protection
Having an escrow sample provides a clean audit trail in the event of a quality dispute. If the buyer claims that the delivered material does not match the pre-shipment sample, the escrow sample is retrieved and sent to an accredited laboratory.
Arbitration Utility
This procedure eliminates the possibility that either party has altered the sample after delivery. The test results from the escrow sample are used to settle the dispute, which reduces the financial risk of trading high-value fibers internationally.
