Quality assurance at Wickbond is not a post‑production inspection step. It is an integrated system governing material intake, candle production, batch verification, and release approval.
This framework defines how quality is controlled during manufacturing — not how it is described after the fact.
Every private‑label, white‑label, and contract candle manufacturing program at Wickbond operates within defined quality parameters. Output is measured against approved specifications, not visual averages or operator memory.
Core Principle
Quality Philosophy
What is approved must remain reproducible. Consistency is engineered, not inspected into existence.
A candle that passes inspection once but fails on reorder is not a quality product. A batch that looks acceptable but deviates from approved performance is not a quality batch.
Certification
ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management
Wickbond operates under an ISO 9001:2015‑certified quality management system that governs all manufacturing operations.
- Documented procedures and work instructions
- Specification approval and change control
- Non‑conformance handling and corrective action
- Internal audits and continuous improvement
Control Framework
Specification Governance
Every manufacturing program begins with specification control. No production begins without specification confirmation. No changes are made without documented approval.
Weight Parameters
Target fill weight and acceptable tolerance ranges documented for each SKU.
Wick Specifications
Wick type, size, and placement requirements defined per vessel format.
Wax Systems
Wax blend composition and handling parameters controlled.
Fragrance Load
Fragrance percentage locked per approved formulation.
Surface Finish
Surface finish expectations documented with visual standards.
Packaging Criteria
Packaging and labelling criteria verified where applicable.
Specifications govern production — not operator discretion. All parameters are documented before production begins.
Incoming QC
Raw Material Control
Quality control starts before wax is melted or vessels are filled. Incoming materials are verified against approved requirements before release to production.
Wax Systems
Checked for type, batch identity, and melt behaviour before release.
Fragrance Oils
Logged by supplier, lot number, and approved load range for traceability.
Wicks
Verified by type, size, tabbing, and coating before use.
Vessels & Packaging
Checked for dimensional and cosmetic integrity on arrival.
Materials that do not meet specification are quarantined and excluded from production.
Active Monitoring
In‑Process Quality Control
Quality is monitored during production, not only at completion. Deviations are corrected immediately. Production does not continue on unverified assumptions.
Weight Checks
Fill weights checked at defined intervals throughout production.
Wick Verification
Wick placement and centring verified visually and dimensionally.
Temperature Control
Pour temperatures and cooling profiles held within defined ranges.
Surface Monitoring
Surface condition monitored during cooling, not only after packing.
Documentation
Batch Identification and Traceability
Every production run is traceable. This provides backward traceability from finished candles to raw material inputs and process conditions.
Batch Records Include
- Raw material lot references
- Production date and shift
- Line assignment and volume
- Quality checks performed
- Release status
Records Support
- Audit readiness
- Incident investigation
- Reorder consistency
- Client reporting
Release Controls
Post‑Production Verification
Finished goods are verified against approval benchmarks before release. Only batches meeting defined acceptance criteria are released for packing or dispatch.
- Weight checks — Random samples against tolerance limits
- Wick alignment — Centring confirmation
- Surface inspection — Visual quality assessment
- Packaging integrity — Box and component checks
- Label verification — Placement and accuracy where applicable
Batches outside tolerance are isolated and resolved before any release decision is made.
Repeat Production
Reorder Consistency Controls
Reorders are treated as controlled reproductions, not new builds. This ensures reorder batches remain consistent with the originally approved product — not merely similar.
Specification Reference
Specifications referenced against the original approval for every reorder.
Process Alignment
Process parameters aligned to prior successful runs.
Material Control
Raw material substitutions not introduced without documented approval.
Tolerance Maintenance
Tolerance thresholds remain unchanged unless revised jointly.
Process Control
Controlled Variance Management
No manufacturing process operates at absolute zero variance. Quality assurance exists to define, monitor, and control acceptable variance.
Documented Ranges
Variance ranges are documented for all critical parameters.
Defined Tolerances
Measurements taken against defined tolerances, not approximations.
Pre-Release Resolution
Deviations addressed before release, not after dispatch.
Zero Undocumented Variance
If tolerance is not defined, it is established before production begins.
Production Hygiene
Cross‑Contamination Prevention
Production is organised to minimise cross‑contamination between programs. Programs with allergen sensitivity, fragrance conflict, or contamination risk are evaluated individually during qualification.
- Line segregation where required
- Cleaning protocols between runs
- Disciplined material handling and storage
- Dedicated equipment where applicable
Audit Support
Documentation and Audit Readiness
Quality documentation is maintained as part of standard operations, not as an exception. Quality is documented because it is practiced — not because it is claimed.
Records Maintained
- Batch logs
- Material intake records
- In‑process check documentation
- Non‑conformance reports
- Release approvals
Documentation Supports
- Internal quality review
- Client and retailer audits
- Regulatory inspections
- Incident investigation
Clarification
What Quality Assurance Is Not
Quality assurance at Wickbond is a defined system applied throughout the manufacturing lifecycle. It is not:
- Visual inspection only
- End‑of‑line checking without process control
- Sample‑based guessing
- Operator‑dependent consistency
Fit Assessment
Program Alignment
This quality framework is designed for commercial candle manufacturing programs where consistency and documentation are non‑negotiable.
Best Suited For
- Brands requiring stable, repeatable private‑label production
- Hospitality programs with zero tolerance for batch drift
- Distribution models where failure impacts downstream accounts
- Long‑term relationships with defined acceptance criteria
May Not Align
Programs seeking informal production, experimental runs, or undefined acceptance criteria may not align with this system.
Next Step
Begin a Quality Review
Quality discussions begin with specification clarity. Submit your current specifications for review, or request a capability alignment discussion.