# What is a quality info record in SAP QM, and how do customer returns trigger inspection?

> Source: https://netray.co/erp-help/what-is-quality-info-record-in-sap-qm-and-customer-returns
> Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems.
> Section: ERP Help

## Short answer

The quality info record is a QM master record per material, vendor and plant that stores quality control data for procurement, such as whether inspection is required and which release or block controls apply. Customer returns are a separate flow: the returned goods are received and can be put into inspection through the return process.

## Kind

how-to

## System

sap

## Erp

SAP QM

## Module

Quality Management / Procurement and Returns

## Query

what is quality info record in sap qm

## Alternate Queries

- sap qm customer return
- qi01 quality info record
- sap qm returns inspection

## Applies To

SAP ECC and S/4HANA QM.

## Steps

### Create and use a quality info record

**Items:**

- Activate QM in procurement for the plant and set the QM control key in the material master QM view.
- Create the record in QI01 for the material, vendor and plant and save the control data.
- Set the QM control key (and assigned inspection type) in the record, plus any release or block information needed for your process.
- Check the record is used when a purchase order and goods receipt are created, so the inspection lot is generated.
- Use QI02 to change and QI03 to display, and review blocks when a vendor is under quality hold.
- For customer returns, configure the return order type and receipt so goods go to quality inspection stock and an inspection lot is created.

## Sections

### What the record controls

**Body:**

It holds the quality-related release for a vendor and material combination: whether the vendor is allowed to deliver, whether inspection or a certificate is required, and the control key that defines what happens at goods receipt. It is the link between purchasing and QM at the vendor level.

### How it interacts with the material master

**Body:**

The QM view of the material master and the plant-level QM procurement settings must agree with the quality info record. When a record is missing and the QM control key demands one, the system raises an error at purchase order or receipt. This is a frequent source of procurement errors.

**Code:**

- QI01  Create quality info record
QI02  Change quality info record
QI03  Display quality info record

### Customer returns and QM

**Body:**

A customer return starts with a returns sales order and a returns delivery. On goods receipt the stock can be posted to quality inspection stock, and an inspection lot is created if an inspection type for the return is activated for the material. The usage decision then decides whether goods go to unrestricted, blocked or scrap. A quality notification can capture the customer complaint.

## Pitfalls

- Setting a QM control key that requires a quality info record, then not creating it.
- Mismatch between plant QM procurement activation and material QM view.
- Forgetting to activate the inspection type for returns.
- Letting blocks remain after the vendor issue is resolved.
- Not linking the complaint to a quality notification.

## Ai Angle

An assistant grounded in SAP can answer which vendor and material pairs lack a quality info record, or which returns have no inspection lot, by reading the data read-only. Netray builds this to run on-prem alongside SAP.

## Faq

### What is the quality info record used for?

**Answer:** It stores QM control and release data for a vendor and material at plant level, used during procurement and goods receipt.

### Which transaction creates it?

**Answer:** QI01 creates it, QI02 changes it and QI03 displays it.

### Do customer returns create an inspection lot?

**Answer:** They can, if the inspection type for returns is configured and activated for the material. Otherwise stock is received without inspection.

### What happens if the record is missing?

**Answer:** If the QM control key requires one, the purchase order or goods receipt fails with an error until it is created or the key is changed.

## Search terms

quality info record sap qm, qi01 sap, sap qm customer return, sap qm procurement key, sap returns inspection, qm control key, quality info record vendor material

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