--- title: "Supplier PPAP: how to request, review and approve" description: When to request a supplier PPAP, how to choose the submission level, what to check in each element, and the most common reasons PPAPs get rejected. image: https://factoryqa.com/hubfs/fqa-og-res-supplier-ppap-guide.png --- [![FactoryQA](https://factoryqa.com/hubfs/fqa-logo-white.png)](https://factoryqa.com/) Features [**Platform overview**Every module, and how they connect](https://factoryqa.com/feature-overview)[**AI features**Purpose-built AI in every module](https://factoryqa.com/ai-powered-quality-management)[**Integrations**ERP connectors and imports](https://factoryqa.com/integrations) [**Dashboard**Every module in one scorecard](https://factoryqa.com/products/qualitybi-dashboard)[**Tasks**Every to-do, from every module](https://factoryqa.com/products/task-management)[**Compliance**Readiness for your standard](https://factoryqa.com/products/compliance)[**Quality Plans**Ballooning, PFMEA, control plans, PPAP](https://factoryqa.com/products/quality-plans)[**Documents**Revisions, approvals, sign-offs](https://factoryqa.com/products/document-control)[**Issues**NCRs, CAPAs and SCARs](https://factoryqa.com/products/non-conformance-management)[**Inspection**Sheets, first articles and SPC](https://factoryqa.com/products/inspection-sheets)[**Calibration**Gages, due dates and Gage R&R](https://factoryqa.com/products/calibration-management)[**Preventive Maintenance**Scheduled work orders and repairs](https://factoryqa.com/preventive-maintenance-factoryqa)[**Supplier Quality**Approved suppliers, portal and SCARs](https://factoryqa.com/products/supplier-management)[**Audits**Schedules, checklists and findings](https://factoryqa.com/products/audit-management)[**Learning Management**Courses, quizzes and the training matrix](https://factoryqa.com/products/learning-management-system)[**QMS Generator**Your manual from an interview](https://factoryqa.com/products/qms-generator) Services [**Services overview**Certification, consulting and supplier quality](https://factoryqa.com/services)[**Get Certified**Three paths to AS9100, ISO 9001 or ISO 13485: do it yourself, join a workshop, or work 1-1 with a consultant.](https://factoryqa.com/certification-services)[**Certification Workshops**A 9-week, small-group program with 18 expert-led sessions and an AI-built document kit.](https://factoryqa.com/certification-cohorts)[**QMS Consulting**A consultant on your team from training through implementation, internal audit and the registrar audit.](https://factoryqa.com/qms-consulting)[**Supplier Quality Services**Qualification, management, training and security services for your whole supply base.](https://factoryqa.com/supplier-quality-services) [Pricing](https://factoryqa.com/pricing) [Log in](https://app.factoryqa.com/auth/login)[Book a demo](https://factoryqa.com/get-a-demo)[Start free](https://app.factoryqa.com/auth/register) Features[**Platform overview**](https://factoryqa.com/feature-overview)[AI features](https://factoryqa.com/ai-powered-quality-management)[Integrations](https://factoryqa.com/integrations)[Dashboard](https://factoryqa.com/products/qualitybi-dashboard)[Tasks](https://factoryqa.com/products/task-management)[Compliance](https://factoryqa.com/products/compliance)[Quality Plans](https://factoryqa.com/products/quality-plans)[Documents](https://factoryqa.com/products/document-control)[Issues](https://factoryqa.com/products/non-conformance-management)[Inspection](https://factoryqa.com/products/inspection-sheets)[Calibration](https://factoryqa.com/products/calibration-management)[Preventive Maintenance](https://factoryqa.com/preventive-maintenance-factoryqa)[Supplier Quality](https://factoryqa.com/products/supplier-management)[Audits](https://factoryqa.com/products/audit-management)[Learning Management](https://factoryqa.com/products/learning-management-system)[QMS Generator](https://factoryqa.com/products/qms-generator) Services[**Services overview**](https://factoryqa.com/services)[Get Certified](https://factoryqa.com/certification-services)[Certification Workshops](https://factoryqa.com/certification-cohorts)[QMS Consulting](https://factoryqa.com/qms-consulting)[Supplier Quality Services](https://factoryqa.com/supplier-quality-services)More[**Pricing**](https://factoryqa.com/pricing)[Log in](https://app.factoryqa.com/auth/login)[Book a demo](https://factoryqa.com/get-a-demo) Supplier quality # Supplier PPAP: how to request, review and approve When to request a supplier PPAP, how to choose the submission level, what to check in each element, and the most common reasons PPAPs get rejected. FactoryQA quality teamOctober 25, 2026 The Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) is how a supplier proves its production process makes parts that meet all your requirements, at the planned rate, before you accept parts for production. It started in automotive (AIAG) and is now common across aerospace, medical and industrial supply chains. ## When to request a PPAP - A new part or a new supplier - A change to the design, material, process, tooling, location or sub-supplier - Tooling that has been inactive for a long time - After a serious quality problem, to re-prove the process ## Choose the submission level The AIAG manual defines five levels, from a part submission warrant only (level 1) to everything reviewed at the supplier's site (level 5). Level 3, with the warrant, product samples and complete supporting data, is the usual default. Ask for more for critical parts and new suppliers, less for simple catalogue-type parts, and state the level on the purchase order or request. ## What to check in the package - **Dimensional results.** Every characteristic on the ballooned drawing measured, at the right revision, with actual values rather than "OK". - **Process flow, PFMEA and control plan.** They should describe the same steps and characteristics, and special characteristics should be controlled. - **Measurement system analysis.** Gage R&R for the gages that check key characteristics. - **Capability studies.** Initial process studies for special characteristics, meeting your acceptance criteria. - **Material and performance test results** from qualified labs, and certificates for special processes. - **The part submission warrant**, signed, matching the drawing revision and the parts submitted. ## Common reasons PPAPs are rejected - Drawing revision on the warrant does not match the samples - Characteristics missing from the dimensional report - A PFMEA and control plan that do not match each other or the process flow - Gage R&R or capability results that miss the criteria, with no reaction plan ## Make the decision clear Approve, interim approve with conditions and a deadline, or reject with specific reasons. Record the decision against the part and supplier so receiving and purchasing know what they can accept. Quality Plans in FactoryQA: the APQP chain from ballooned drawing to PPAP. In FactoryQA, suppliers submit through the supplier PPAP portal without a login. In [Quality Plans](https://factoryqa.com/products/quality-plans) each PPAP submission gets a workspace with the 18 AIAG elements preset for its level, live records linked as evidence, and the PPAP AI Reviewer scores readiness before you submit. Our [Supplier Quality Services](https://factoryqa.com/supplier-quality-services) include PPAP services and PPAP training for suppliers. ## Related guides - [PPAP levels and the 18 elements, explained](https://factoryqa.com/resources/ppap-levels-and-elements): What each PPAP level asks for, all 18 elements in one table, what triggers a new submission and how approval works. - [AS9102 Form 3, field by field (Rev C)](https://factoryqa.com/resources/as9102-form-3-guide): How to fill in the AS9102 characteristic accountability form, column by column, with an example and the mistakes that get FAIRs rejected. Keep reading ## More from Resources [Comparison**Best QMS software for machine shops and job shops (2026)**Nine QMS options for machine shops and job shops compared from vendor websites: pricing, AS9102 and ballooning, SPC, supplier portals and ERP fit.](https://factoryqa.com/resources/best-qms-software-for-job-shops)[Supplier quality**AS9100 8.4.3 flow-down: what your purchase orders must say**What AS9100 clause 8.4.3 says to flow down to suppliers, with sample purchase order quality clauses and the DFARS, CMMC and ITAR clauses that often apply.](https://factoryqa.com/resources/as9100-flow-down-requirements)[Supplier quality**Incoming inspection for machine shops**A receiving inspection procedure for machine shops: paperwork checks, risk-based sampling with Z1.4 or c=0 plans, accept or reject, and supplier feedback.](https://factoryqa.com/resources/incoming-inspection-procedure) ## Try it on your own process: start free. 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