Learn the difference between a concession and a production permit or planned deviation, understand the standards and approval expectations, and build a complete supplier request for customer review. The app changes the required information and approval wording according to whether the departure occurred before manufacture or after nonconforming product was made.
AFTER THE NONCONFORMANCE OCCURRED
An unintentional departure has already happened. The supplier requests permission to use, release or deliver specifically identified nonconforming product. Shipment must remain stopped until approval is obtained.
BEFORE THE DEPARTURE OCCURS
A planned, intentional and temporary departure is proposed before the affected operation begins. The supplier requests permission to manufacture a defined quantity using an alternative requirement, method, material, source or process.
Yes: raise a nonconformance and, where justified, request a concession.
Yes: request a production permit or pre-production deviation before the affected activity begins.
Yes: initiate formal design, specification, source or configuration change—not an endlessly renewed temporary permit.
| Term | Purpose | Key distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Concession | Authorised acceptance of identified nonconforming product | Post-production, unintentional departure |
| Deviation permit | Authorised departure from original requirements before realisation | Generally limited by quantity, period and use |
| Production permit | Customer-specific term for pre-production deviation permission | Must be approved before the affected operation |
| Rework | Action restoring full conformity | Product meets original requirement after action |
| Repair | Action making product acceptable for intended use | May not restore full original conformity; often requires design authority |
| Use-as-is | Disposition accepting existing condition | Requires authorised technical disposition |
| Design change | Permanent authorised revision | Changes approved configuration rather than granting a temporary exception |
| Standard / source | Relevance | Supplier application |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 9000 | Defines quality terminology including nonconformity, concession and deviation permit. A deviation permit is generally limited by quantity, time or specific use. | Use consistent terminology and ensure temporary approvals are clearly bounded. |
| ISO 9001:2015 | Clauses 8.2, 8.3, 8.5.6, 8.6, 8.7 and 10.2 support requirement review, design/change control, release, control of nonconforming outputs and corrective action. | Do not release nonconforming product without appropriate authority; verify correction; control changes; retain evidence. |
| AS9100 / EN 9100 | Adds aerospace expectations for operational risk, configuration, product safety, external-provider control and customer approval of nonconforming dispositions where applicable. | Escalate design, safety, airworthiness and regulated characteristics to authorised functions. Prevent unauthorised release. |
| AS9131D | Defines common nonconformity data and documentation exchanged between supplier and customer when formal disposition is required. | Use structured identity, requirement, actual condition, quantity, containment, cause, corrective action and approval data. |
| Customer contract / PO | May mandate forms, portals, MRB routes, response times, signatories, CoC wording, performance impact or prohibited conditions. | The contractual route takes precedence. Informal verbal or email discussion is not approval unless explicitly authorised. |
| Configuration management | Permits and concessions do not permanently alter approved design data. | Record affected configuration and ensure any permanent change follows the formal change process. |
Identify the exact drawing, specification, PO, process or acceptance requirement being departed from.
Review and control planned production changes to protect continuing conformity.
Identify, segregate and prevent unintended use or delivery; obtain authority for acceptance under concession.
Contain, correct, determine cause, implement recurrence prevention and verify effectiveness.
Do not continue affected work or shipment. Decide whether the issue is a pre-production planned departure or an existing nonconformance.
Control product, work in progress, stock and delivered population. Preserve serial, batch, route and configuration traceability.
Review form, fit, function, safety, reliability, durability, corrosion, interchangeability, downstream processing and regulation.
Use the authorised customer route. Do not manufacture or ship until written approval is received.
State drawing number, revision, zone or note, specification clause, PO clause, nominal value and acceptance limits.
Give actual values, range, measurement method, location, affected population and maximum departure.
Attach photos, drawings, certificates, inspection results, calculations, test data, PFMEA or risk assessment.
Explain impact on safety, performance, reliability, interface, assembly, maintainability and regulatory approval.
For concessions, distinguish containment, correction, direct cause, root cause, escape cause, corrective action and effectiveness.
Limit approval by quantity, serial/batch, PO line, dates, process stage, configuration and use.
Requirement: Approved source A for 7075-T7351 plate.
Proposal: Before manufacture, use source B for ten serial-numbered brackets because of an eight-week shortage.
Evidence: Same material specification, temper and inspection; certificates, independent testing, PMI and incoming verification attached.
Boundary: Ten units only, defined PO line and expiry date. Permanent source approval proceeds separately.
Requirement: Hole diameter 10.000–10.025 mm.
Actual: Two components measure 10.031 and 10.033 mm. Product is quarantined.
Assessment: Tolerance analysis shows adequate clearance and no effect on strength, alignment or interchangeability.
Cause/action: Tool-life counter reset and worn inspection gauge. Counter access and gauge controls corrected; effectiveness monitored.
| Weak | Strong |
|---|---|
| “Dimension slightly oversize. Please accept.” | “Drawing 12345 Issue G, Zone D3 requires 15.00 ±0.05 mm. Serial numbers 0142, 0143 and 0147 measure 15.06, 15.07 and 15.08 mm by calibrated CMM 4587. Maximum departure is 0.03 mm above the upper limit. Product is quarantined. Attached tolerance analysis supports no effect on fit, alignment or load path.” |
| “Need different material due shortage.” | “Before operation 20 begins, permission is requested to use material from Source B for ten units because Source A cannot deliver for eight weeks. Material specification, temper, thickness, mechanical properties and inspection remain unchanged. Permit expires after serial 0010 or 30 November 2026, whichever occurs first.” |