Glossary

Nonconforming Material (NCM)

Material that does not meet specified requirements and is identified for segregation, review, disposition, or control.

Nonconformance, MRB and CAPA (NCR)Non-Conformance and CAPA

Nonconforming Material (NCM) commonly refers to raw material, components, subassemblies, or finished goods that do not meet one or more specified requirements. Those requirements may come from drawings, specifications, purchase requirements, process criteria, inspection results, labeling rules, or approved manufacturing instructions.

NCM is a status or condition of material, not a root cause and not a disposition by itself. Once identified, the material is typically controlled so it is not used, shipped, or mixed with acceptable stock until an authorized review determines what happens next.

What it includes

Incoming material that fails receiving inspection
Work-in-process that does not meet dimensional, visual, functional, or documentation requirements
Finished product found out of specification before release or after internal review
Material with incorrect identification, lot traceability, revision status, or labeling when those are required attributes

What it does not mean

NCM does not automatically mean scrap. Nonconforming material may be reworked, repaired where allowed, used under an approved deviation or concession where applicable, returned to supplier, or scrapped, depending on the defined review and disposition process. It also does not mean every production issue is a material issue. Equipment faults, documentation errors, and process deviations may create nonconforming output, but they are not themselves material.

How it appears in operations and systems

In manufacturing workflows, NCM is often identified during receiving, in-process inspection, final inspection, testing, or stockroom review. In MES, ERP, or QMS environments, it is commonly linked to a hold status, quarantine location, nonconformance record, lot or serial traceability, and a disposition workflow. The objective of those controls is to maintain visibility and prevent unintended use while the issue is being evaluated.

Example: a batch of machined parts that fails a diameter tolerance check would be treated as nonconforming material until the parts are reviewed and dispositioned.

Common confusion

Nonconforming Material (NCM) is often confused with nonconformance or NCR. NCM refers to the affected material itself. A nonconformance is the condition or event in which a requirement is not met. An NCR, if used by the organization, is the record used to document and manage that condition.

It may also be confused with scrap. Scrap is only one possible final disposition for NCM, not a synonym for it.

Related FAQ

Should non-conformance be hyphenated?

Most quality and manufacturing standards use the hyphenated form “non-conformance” or “nonconformity” as a single word. In practice, you should follow your organization’s controlled document style guide and keep usage consistent across QMS procedures, work instructions, and records for traceability and audit clarity.

What is the meaning of nonconformance?

In regulated manufacturing, a nonconformance is a documented failure to meet a specified requirement, whether from a customer, drawing, spec, standard, procedure, or regulation. It is not just a defect; it is any verified deviation that must be recorded, evaluated, and dispositioned under change control and traceability rules.

What are the different types of non conformance?

In regulated manufacturing, “types” of nonconformance are usually defined by impact and source, not a single universal list. Common distinctions include critical/major/minor, product vs. process vs. documentation, internal vs. supplier vs. customer, and recurring/systemic vs. isolated. Your exact categories must be defined, documented, and applied consistently in your QMS.

How do you distinguish between a minor and major non-conformance in aerospace?

In aerospace there is no single universal definition of minor vs major non-conformance. Each OEM, prime, or Tier 1 typically defines severity in its quality system and contracts. Distinction is usually based on impact to safety, airworthiness, fit/form/function, regulatory or customer requirements, and the amount of rework or re-inspection needed. Plants must follow their approved, documented criteria and apply it consistently with traceability and review.

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