| 1 | Application and Substrate Fit | 15% | Confirm the adhesive is intended for the actual substrates and service conditions, such as wood, concrete, masonry, metal, or selected plastics. Check whether priming, surface preparation, or a specific application method is required. | Technical data sheet (TDS), substrate compatibility list, written application instructions, and representative samples tested on the buyer’s materials. |
| 2 | Bond Strength and Test Relevance | 15% | Compare results only when substrate, preparation, cure conditions, specimen geometry, and test method are comparable. Ask whether reported values are typical, minimum, or guaranteed values. | Independent or traceable test reports. ASTM D1002 and ISO 4587 cover tensile lap-shear testing of bonded assemblies; ASTM D905 covers compressive shear testing of wood adhesive bonds. Select methods appropriate to the application. |
| 3 | Regulatory and Chemical Documentation | 15% | Check requirements for every destination market and intended use. Confirm that product classification, labeling, and chemical disclosures match the supplied formulation and packaging. | Current Safety Data Sheet (SDS), applicable GHS labeling information, and relevant market documentation. REACH, CLP, and TSCA obligations differ by product, role in the supply chain, and jurisdiction. |
| 4 | Cure Time and Installation Window | 10% | Review open time, fixture time, full-cure time, and temperature or humidity limits. Distinguish handling strength from full cure; site conditions can affect both. | TDS values with stated test conditions, plus trials under representative job-site temperatures, humidity, bead sizes, and assembly methods. |
| 5 | Durability and Environmental Resistance | 10% | Assess suitability for expected moisture, heat, cold, UV exposure, vibration, and aging. Do not assume a general-purpose product is suitable for continuous immersion, structural use, or exterior exposure. | Conditioned performance data and application-specific aging tests. Request test conditions and acceptance criteria rather than relying on broad claims such as “weatherproof.” |
| 6 | Quality Management and Batch Consistency | 10% | Evaluate incoming-material controls, batch traceability, release testing, change control, complaint handling, and corrective-action processes. | Quality-system audit or relevant ISO 9001 certificate verification, batch certificates or test summaries, lot traceability records, and documented change-notification procedures. |
| 7 | VOC, Odor, and Workplace Handling | 10% | Check VOC requirements, ventilation needs, odor expectations, and worker-protection measures for the destination market and installation setting. There is no single VOC limit that applies to every adhesive and jurisdiction. | Product-specific VOC test or declaration, SDS, and the applicable local standard or regulation identified by the buyer. |
| 8 | Packaging, Shelf Life, and Transport | 5% | Confirm package size and dispensing format, storage conditions, remaining shelf life at delivery, seal integrity, and any transport restrictions that apply to the formulation. | Packaging specifications, dated shelf-life data, storage instructions, and shipment documentation appropriate to the product classification and route. |
| 9 | Export Readiness and Supply Reliability | 5% | Assess production capacity, lead-time consistency, export documentation capability, destination-market language support, and contingency planning for supply interruptions. | Documented lead times, order history or references where available, export-document checklist, and written capacity or continuity commitments. |
| 10 | Customization and Technical Support | 5% | Determine whether the supplier can support required packaging, labeling, language, or formulation adjustments, and clarify minimum order quantities, development timelines, and ownership of custom specifications. | Written customization scope, approved sample process, change-control terms, technical response process, and agreed product specifications. |