MRB process

The MRB process is the controlled process for reviewing nonconforming material and deciding its disposition in a manufacturing or quality system. MRB commonly stands for Material Review Board, a cross-functional group or workflow used to evaluate material, parts, assemblies, or products that do not meet specified requirements.

In industrial operations, the MRB process usually starts after a nonconformance is identified through inspection, production, receiving, test, or supplier quality activity. The process records the issue, contains or segregates affected material, evaluates technical and quality impact, and assigns an approved disposition. Common dispositions include rework, repair, scrap, return to supplier, or use-as-is where allowed by applicable procedures and customer requirements.

The MRB process is often managed in a quality management system, MES, ERP, or nonconformance workflow. It supports traceability by linking the nonconformance record to part numbers, lots, serial numbers, work orders, inspection results, approvals, and disposition actions.

The MRB process should not be confused with general corrective action. MRB determines what happens to specific nonconforming material. Corrective action or CAPA addresses the underlying cause when further investigation and prevention are required.