The Procurement Glossary » Corrective Action Request (CAR)

Corrective Action Request (CAR)

Suppliers & Vendors

Also known as: CAR, SCAR

Definition

A formal request asking a supplier to investigate a problem, fix its root cause and prevent recurrence.

Explanation

A CAR (or SCAR — supplier corrective action request) turns a quality or delivery failure into a documented improvement process, usually requiring root-cause analysis and preventive measures. It is a key tool of supplier performance management.

Example

After a defective batch, the buyer issues a CAR; the supplier's root-cause analysis leads to a process change.

Related terms

• Root Cause Analysis (RCA) — A structured method for finding the underlying cause of a problem so it can be permanently fixed.
• Supplier Performance Management — The ongoing measurement of how well suppliers meet expectations on quality, delivery, cost and service.
• Quality Assurance (QA) — The proactive processes that ensure goods and services will meet required quality standards.
• Non-Conformance — A failure of a product, service or process to meet its specified requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Corrective Action Request (CAR)?

A formal request asking a supplier to investigate a problem, fix its root cause and prevent recurrence. A CAR (or SCAR — supplier corrective action request) turns a quality or delivery failure into a documented improvement process, usually requiring root-cause analysis and preventive measures. It is a key tool of supplier performance management.

Can you give an example of Corrective Action Request (CAR)?

After a defective batch, the buyer issues a CAR; the supplier's root-cause analysis leads to a process change.

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