# Documents for your material review

Source: https://powdchem.com/sourcing/quality-documentation/

Page type: Sourcing service

Quality & documentation

The documents need to describe the material you are evaluating. Define what evidence matters, what it refers to and what still needs to be checked.

[Discuss document requirements](<https://powdchem.com/request-a-quote/?support=Document%20requirements&documents=CoA%2CTDS%2CSDS>)

## Source and material checks.

### Source identity & role

Identify the proposed seller and whether it is a manufacturer, distributor or another intermediary. Clarify the product range and who will answer technical or delivery questions.

### Material & evidence

Connect the offered name, grade and form to each document. Record its revision, source and whether it describes a typical grade, a sample or a supply lot.

### Sample & order relationship

State which sample is being evaluated and what a later order must match. Keep unresolved differences visible so a sample result is not silently extended to another batch.

## COA, TDS and SDS

CoA, TDS and SDS are useful for different questions. They are not substitutes for one another.

What each document can support, and where its limits sit

| Document | What it helps you review | What to check | What it does not establish |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **CoA**Certificate of analysis | Reported test results for the identified material or batch | Product/grade identity, lot number where applicable, tested parameters, methods and stated limits | Properties that were not tested or listed; future batch equivalence |
| **TDS**Technical data sheet | Product description, typical properties, intended use and handling guidance | The exact grade, document version, test basis and whether values are typical or specified | That every typical value has been measured for the proposed supply lot |
| **SDS**Safety data sheet | Safety, handling, storage and related hazard information | Material identity, supplier details, revision and relevance to the supplied material | Purity, particle morphology, product performance or acceptance of a batch |

Document availability and scope differ by supplier and grade. Tell us which files or results are essential before accepting an offer.

## Match each document to the proposed material

A familiar document title is a starting point. The identity and scope inside it matter.

Nike’ sourcing review is organized around the requested material and the proposed option. We clarify which documents the source can provide and which requirements need further discussion.

Our role is to coordinate source documents, clarify material identity and organize the information needed for your review. Additional testing is discussed separately.

**Nike.**  Example checklist

### Questions for a material file.

**Does the identity match?:** Name, formula, product code, phase and supplied form

**Which grade or lot?:** Clear relationship between the document and the proposed material

**Which measurement?:** Parameter, method, unit and test conditions where relevant

**What is the status?:** Typical value, acceptance limit or actual reported result

**What is missing?:** Critical evidence that still needs to be supplied or evaluated

Working checklist for comparing material documents.

Start with the proposed material

### Match the material across all three documents.

Name · product code · grade · supplied form

#### Grade & typical properties

Check the product code, revision, test basis and whether values are typical or limits.

#### Lot & reported results

Match the proposed grade and batch or lot. Read each result with its method, unit and limit.

#### Identity & supplied form

Match the product identifier, composition, form and document version.

A TDS value is not a batch result. An SDS describes the identified product; it is not a certificate of batch performance.

## When a document leaves a question open

The next step depends on how important the missing information is to your evaluation.

### Ask for clarification.

If a value, method or product identity is unclear, request an explanation or the applicable source document before comparing it with another grade.

### Agree a sample evaluation.

Define the quantity and acceptance criteria. Confirm the sample’s grade or lot relationship, availability, costs and what a later order would need to repeat.

### Scope additional testing.

Where needed, discuss an agreed third-party test, method, sample preparation, cost and timing. Extra testing is not included by default.

### If a critical requirement remains unsupported, keep it open.

Clarify the gap, evaluate an alternative or wait for the required evidence before accepting a candidate. A sample or datasheet should not be used to imply an unverified result.

## Material comparison tools

[See a filled AlN comparison example](<https://powdchem.com/sourcing/#worked-review>)

Prepare your requirements and compare candidate information with two blank working templates. Unknown items can stay blank.

### Material Requirement Checklist

Identity, phase and form, critical limits, quantity, application, destination and essential documents.

[Download checklist (.txt)](<https://powdchem.com/downloads/material-requirement-checklist.txt>)

### Candidate Comparison Template

Requirement, candidate response, source, grade or lot relationship, open questions and next step.

[Download comparison (.csv)](<https://powdchem.com/downloads/candidate-comparison-template.csv>)

Blank working templates. Not certificates, test reports or issued quotations.

## Example: BN nanosheet dimensions

The formula BN identifies the chemistry. It does not establish a nanosheet’s lateral size or thickness.

A useful BNNS inquiry states both dimensions and asks which characterization is available for the proposed product. The required evidence should be agreed before treating two powder candidates as comparable.

[Read the BNNS sourcing brief](<https://powdchem.com/products/boron-nitride-nanosheets-powder/>)

## Discuss the documents you need

Share your material, essential documents and any sample or testing requirement. Supply documents and destination requirements are confirmed for the actual order.

[Discuss document requirements](<https://powdchem.com/request-a-quote/?support=Document%20requirements&documents=CoA%2CTDS%2CSDS>)

## Document references.

[OSHA SDS guidance](<https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3694.pdf>) explains safety-data sections in the US context. Document availability and applicable requirements must be checked for the proposed material.
