Non-Conforming Material (NCM)

Non-Conforming Material (NCM) is material, part, assembly, work in process, or finished product that does not meet specified requirements, or is suspected of not meeting them. Requirements may come from drawings, specifications, purchase orders, inspection criteria, process limits, or quality procedures.

In manufacturing and regulated operations, NCM is commonly identified during receiving inspection, in-process checks, final inspection, test, or production handling. Once identified, it is typically controlled to prevent unintended use, mixed stock, or shipment. Common controls include identification, segregation, hold status, traceability records, and documented disposition.

NCM should not be confused with scrap. Scrap is one possible disposition for non-conforming material, but NCM may also be reworked, repaired, used as-is under an approved disposition, returned to a supplier, or investigated further. The related record is often called a nonconformance report, non-conformance report, or NCR, which documents the issue, affected material, containment, review, and disposition decisions.