What is an exception report in QA and how is it used?

• A. A formal record of deviations from standard processes or requirements; used to drive investigation and corrective actions.
• B. A summary of successful audit findings.
• C. A list of approved suppliers.
• D. A checklist for daily production.

Answer: (A)

An exception report in QA is a formal record of deviations from standard processes or requirements. It captures what happened, where and when it occurred, who was involved, and the impact on product quality or customer requirements. This report is used to trigger investigation into root causes and to define corrective and preventive actions to address the gap and prevent recurrence. It also provides traceability for audits and regulatory compliance and helps prioritize issues based on risk and impact. In practice, when a nonconformance is found—for example, a batch that doesn’t meet specifications—the exception report documents the deviation, references the applicable standard, records disposition (hold, rework, or reject), and assigns responsibility for containment and investigation. The result is a structured path from detection to resolution, with evidence that actions were taken and verified.