Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) for Agricultural and Seed-Processing Equipment
Factory Acceptance Testing is the last realistic chance to catch a defect before equipment leaves the manufacturer. For any capital purchase above USD 100,000 — seed-processing lines, sorting graders, greenhouse climate systems, irrigation head-stations — a documented FAT should be a contract condition and a payment milestone.
Can FAT be done remotely?
Yes — many suppliers now offer video-witnessed FAT with a signed report. It is acceptable for lower-value orders but on-site FAT remains the standard above USD 250,000. The supplier hosts and pays for the test itself. The buyer pays for their own travel and any third-party inspector.
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FAT is standard practice for seed-processing plants, packing houses, cold rooms, irrigation head-stations, greenhouse climate controllers and any custom-fabricated equipment. It is usually skipped for off-the-shelf items under USD 50,000.
What a professional FAT protocol contains
The FAT document is agreed in writing at contract signature, not at test time:
- Scope: exact equipment, model numbers, serial numbers.
- Test conditions: input material, throughput, ambient conditions.
- Pass / fail criteria for each test (accuracy, throughput, energy, uniformity).
- Attendees: buyer, supplier, third-party inspector if used.
- Documentation: signed test record, deviation list, corrective actions.
- Consequences: what happens if the equipment fails (rework, discount, cancellation).
Third-party inspection
For orders above USD 250,000, budget 0.3–0.7% of contract value for an independent inspector (SGS, Bureau Veritas, TÜV). Their signed report is what banks and insurers rely on.
FAT as a payment milestone
Standard payment structure for capital equipment: 30% at contract, 60% at successful FAT, 10% at successful SAT. Never release the pre-shipment tranche before FAT is signed.
Frequently asked questions
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