Published 22 Aug 2025
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4 min read
What is an ISO 9001 Supplier Deviation Request Form Template?
An ISO 9001 Supplier Deviation Request (SDR) form template is a document used when an approval is needed to deviate from product or process requirements. These requirements are typically outlined in a purchase order or quality agreement. The form’s purpose is to promote traceability and transparency, ensuring that changes are approved before the product reaches its destination. This helps suppliers and customers prevent nonconforming materials or processes from slipping through unnoticed.
Importance
An ISO 9001 supplier deviation request form ensures compliance when changes from specified requirements are made. It’s a thorough process to document, review, and approve any supplier deviations, ensuring that all changes are properly evaluated according to quality standards. It also helps with the following:
Prevents unauthorized shipments or the use of non-conforming materials, which helps protect both product quality and customer safety
Enables traceability and corrective action planning that ensures risks are quickly identified and mitigated
Encourages suppliers to maintain good quality practices by discouraging repeat deviations and making sure it’s not used to bypass proper controls
This request form aligns with the requirements of Clause 10.2: Nonconformity and Corrective Action, highlighting a clear procedure for managing instances when supplies don’t meet specified requirements. Non-conforming deviations may vary from material discrepancies to delivery delays, each of which has the potential to disrupt production schedules, increase costs, or compromise product quality.
This form also aligns with Clause 8.4.2: Control of Externally Provided Processes, Products, and Services, which mandates organizations to establish and implement clear criteria for choosing, checking, and re-checking their external providers. This helps ensure that suppliers can reliably deliver the processes, products, or services needed to meet requirements without any non-conformities. This also verifies that any external supplies meet all quality and regulatory standards before entering the facility. If and when problems or nonconformities are found, this form is used to properly identify and record them to prevent unintended use.
What to Include in an ISO 9001 Supplier Deviation Request Form Template
An ISO 9001 supplier deviation request form should clearly outline the essential information needed to document, evaluate, and approve any deviations a supplier proposes. This helps manage any deviations from agreed supplier requirements, ensuring that suppliers aren’t shipping non-conforming products without prior approval while also safeguarding product quality. Ideally, the form should contain these elements and sections:
Supplier Information: Include all contact information for easier tracking and communication.
Product and Service Details: State all document parts and service names, parts and service numbers, and purchase order numbers to identify the item or service involved.
Supporting Documentation: Ensure that all relevant documents, including drawings, calculations, and test results, are attached to support the deviation request.
Supplier Acknowledgement: Include a section that enables the supplier to confirm and acknowledge receipt of the deliveries.
Internal Review: Conduct thorough reviews by engineering, safety, quality, and procedural teams to ensure all aspects are evaluated before reaching the final determination.
Sample ISO 9001 Supplier Deviation Request Report
Below is a sample ISO 9001 supplier deviation request form template designed to help organizations manage and document supplier deviations in compliance with ISO 9001 requirements. This form facilitates handling, approval, and communication of any deviations in supplied materials or products.
Preview ISO 9001 Supplier Deviation Request PDF Report
How It’s Used in Manufacturing
Supplies are one of the main components of the manufacturing industry. That’s why it’s important to keep track of what comes in and out of the vicinity. An ISO 9001 supplier deviation request ensures that whatever comes into the facility is controlled and documented—especially the deviations to maintain quality and prevent unauthorized non-conforming products from being shipped. Other than that, the form may also be used for these cases:
Working with suppliers to evaluate and approve requests for alternative or substitute materials
Maintaining clear records of all temporary or permanent changes to product specifications and processes
Authorizing additional inspections and tests requested by the manufacturer to verify the performance of deviated parts before approval
Permitting manufacturers to charge for costs resulting from deviations that compromise quality
