QC, Quality Control

Quality control (QC) is the operational checking that a product, service, or shipboard process meets defined requirements: inspection, testing, and verification against a standard. On ships it covers tasks like checking cargo condition, calibration of measuring equipment, and verification of maintenance work. QC is the inspection half of quality management; quality assurance (QA) is the systematic prevention side. ISO 9000:2015 defines quality control as “part of quality management focused on fulfilling quality requirements.” Under the ISM Code, internal audits and verification (para 12) provide the safety-management equivalent of QC for the SMS.