IPC-1731 Explained: Guide to Strategic Raw Materials Supplier Qualification Profile (SRMSQP)

If you’ve worked in laminate manufacturing or PCB material procurement, you know the challenge of qualifying raw material suppliers. Every customer has different questionnaires, different formats, and different requirements. Suppliers waste countless hours filling out redundant paperwork, and customers struggle to compare responses across different vendor formats. IPC-1731 solves this problem by providing a standardized Strategic Raw Materials Supplier Qualification Profile (SRMSQP) that both suppliers and customers can use as a common framework.

This guide covers everything you need to know about IPC-1731, from understanding its purpose and structure to practical tips for completing and maintaining the SRMSQP effectively.

What is IPC-1731?

IPC-1731, titled “Strategic Raw Materials Supplier Qualification Profile,” provides an industry-approved questionnaire for suppliers of raw materials to laminate manufacturers. Released in June 2000, this standard gives raw material suppliers a consistent format to document their manufacturing facilities, quality systems, and capabilities.

The core deliverable is the SRMSQP—a comprehensive self-assessment profile that suppliers complete and share with current and potential customers. Rather than responding to dozens of different customer-specific questionnaires, suppliers can maintain a single, standardized document that satisfies most qualification requirements.

The Problem IPC-1731 Solves

Before IPC-1731, the supplier qualification process was fragmented and inefficient:

For Suppliers:

• Responding to unique questionnaires from every customer
• Maintaining multiple versions of essentially the same information
• Inconsistent formatting making updates difficult
• No industry-standard way to present capabilities

For Customers (Laminate Manufacturers):

• Difficulty comparing suppliers using different response formats
• Incomplete or inconsistent information across suppliers
• Time-consuming review of non-standardized documents
• No common baseline for supplier assessment

IPC-1731 addresses these issues by establishing a common template that serves both parties’ needs.

Understanding the SRMSQP Purpose and Scope

The Strategic Raw Materials Supplier Qualification Profile isn’t intended to replace all customer requirements—the standard explicitly states this. Instead, it provides a foundation that covers the most common qualification criteria, reducing redundant effort while allowing customers to request additional information as needed.

What SRMSQP Covers

Category	Information Included
Company Information	Legal entity, ownership, locations, contacts
Facility Details	Manufacturing sites, capabilities, capacity
Quality Systems	Certifications, quality management, SPC programs
Process Controls	Manufacturing processes, equipment, controls
Materials Management	Raw material handling, traceability, storage
Testing Capabilities	In-house testing, third-party testing resources
Environmental Compliance	Regulatory compliance, environmental programs
Business Continuity	Disaster recovery, supply continuity planning

What SRMSQP Does Not Cover

The SRMSQP is a qualification profile, not a complete supplier audit. It doesn’t replace:

• On-site facility audits
• Product-specific qualification testing
• Contractual quality agreements
• Customer-specific technical requirements
• First article inspection processes

Think of IPC-1731 as the foundation of supplier qualification—the standardized baseline that gets everyone on the same page before diving into product-specific or customer-specific requirements.

Who Uses IPC-1731?

IPC-1731 serves multiple stakeholders in the PCB materials supply chain. Understanding who uses this standard helps clarify its role in the industry.

Raw Material Suppliers

The primary users of IPC-1731 are suppliers of raw materials used in laminate manufacturing:

Material Type	Examples	Relevant IPC Specifications
Metal Foils	Copper foil, aluminum foil	IPC-4562
Glass Reinforcement	Woven E-glass fabric, glass mat	IPC-4412, IPC-4130
Paper Reinforcement	Cellulose paper for FR-2/CEM-1	IPC-4110
Aramid Reinforcement	Kevlar fabric, aramid mat	IPC-A-142, IPC-4411
Resin Systems	Epoxy, phenolic, polyimide resins	Various
Specialty Materials	PTFE, ceramic fillers, flame retardants	Various

These suppliers complete the SRMSQP to document their facilities and capabilities for laminate manufacturer customers.

Laminate Manufacturers

Laminate manufacturers (companies producing copper-clad laminates and prepregs per IPC-4101) use IPC-1731 to:

• Establish baseline qualification criteria for raw material suppliers
• Maintain consistent supplier documentation
• Streamline new supplier evaluation
• Support approved vendor list (AVL) management
• Facilitate supplier audits and reviews

OEM and EMS Procurement Teams

While IPC-1731 focuses on raw material suppliers to laminators, OEM and EMS companies may reference it as part of their broader supply chain qualification programs. Understanding how your laminate suppliers qualify their raw material sources provides visibility into supply chain robustness.

Quality and Compliance Teams

Quality engineers and compliance specialists use IPC-1731 as a reference for:

• Developing supplier qualification procedures
• Benchmarking supplier assessment criteria
• Training procurement and quality staff
• Audit preparation and planning

Key Sections of the IPC-1731 SRMSQP

The SRMSQP template is organized into logical sections that progressively detail a supplier’s capabilities. Understanding this structure helps both suppliers completing the profile and customers reviewing it.

Section 1: General Company Information

This section establishes the supplier’s identity and corporate structure:

Field	Purpose
Legal Company Name	Official registered business name
Parent Company	Corporate ownership structure
Facility Addresses	Manufacturing and administrative locations
Key Contacts	Quality, sales, and technical contacts
Years in Business	Operational history and stability
Ownership Type	Public, private, subsidiary status

Section 2: Quality System Documentation

The quality system section documents certifications and quality management approach:

Certifications Typically Documented:

• ISO 9001 Quality Management System
• ISO 14001 Environmental Management System
• IATF 16949 (for automotive supply chain)
• AS9100 (for aerospace supply chain)
• ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety

Quality Program Elements:

• Quality manual availability
• Document control procedures
• Corrective and preventive action (CAPA) systems
• Internal audit programs
• Management review processes

Section 3: Manufacturing Capabilities

This section details the supplier’s production capabilities:

Capability Area	Information Requested
Product Range	Materials produced, grades, specifications
Production Capacity	Annual volume, capacity utilization
Equipment List	Major production equipment, age, condition
Process Controls	SPC implementation, process monitoring
Expansion Plans	Planned capacity additions or upgrades

Section 4: Testing and Inspection

Documentation of quality assurance testing capabilities:

In-House Testing:

• Available test equipment and capabilities
• Calibration programs and traceability
• Test method standards followed (ASTM, IPC-TM-650, etc.)

Third-Party Testing:

• External laboratory relationships
• Accreditation status of laboratories used
• Types of testing outsourced

Section 5: Materials Management

How the supplier manages incoming materials and traceability:

• Incoming inspection procedures
• Raw material qualification processes
• Lot traceability systems
• Storage and handling controls
• Shelf life management
• First-in-first-out (FIFO) practices

Section 6: Environmental and Regulatory Compliance

Compliance status for relevant regulations:

Compliance Area	Documentation
Environmental Permits	Operating permits, discharge permits
RoHS/REACH	Compliance status, testing records
Conflict Minerals	Due diligence programs, reporting
Hazardous Materials	Handling, storage, disposal programs
Local Regulations	Country/region-specific compliance

Section 7: Business Continuity

Supply continuity and risk management information:

• Disaster recovery plans
• Business interruption insurance
• Alternate manufacturing sites
• Critical equipment redundancy
• Supply chain risk assessment

How to Complete the IPC-1731 SRMSQP

IPC provides the SRMSQP as an electronic Microsoft Word template with editable fields, making it practical to complete and maintain.

Using the Electronic Template

The MS Word template features:

• Editable Fields: Highlighted in gray for easy identification
• Tab Navigation: Use the TAB key to move between fields
• Write Protection: Recommended to protect completed files before distribution
• Customer-Specific Versions: Template supports maintaining multiple customer files

Best Practices for Suppliers

Complete All Sections Thoroughly

Don’t leave fields blank or enter “N/A” without explanation. If a section doesn’t apply, explain why. Incomplete profiles create more questions than they answer.

Keep Information Current

The SRMSQP is a living document. Establish a regular review schedule—annually at minimum—to update:

• Certification expiration dates
• Contact information changes
• Capability additions or changes
• Quality system updates

Attach Supporting Documentation

Where appropriate, attach copies of:

• Current certificates (ISO, UL, etc.)
• Quality manual table of contents
• Organizational charts
• Facility layouts
• Key process flow diagrams

Maintain Version Control

Track document revisions with:

• Version numbers
• Revision dates
• Summary of changes
• Approval signatures

Best Practices for Customers

Establish Clear Expectations

When requesting SRMSQP from suppliers:

• Specify the IPC-1731 format requirement
• Identify any additional information needed beyond the standard profile
• Provide timeline for submission and review

Create a Review Checklist

Develop a standardized checklist for reviewing submitted profiles:

• Completeness of all sections
• Currency of certifications
• Adequacy of quality system documentation
• Alignment with your specific requirements

Integrate with Supplier Management

Use the SRMSQP as part of your overall supplier management program:

• Link to approved vendor list (AVL) status
• Connect to supplier scorecard systems
• Reference in audit planning
• Update during periodic business reviews

Read more IPC Standards:

Related IPC Standards for Raw Materials

IPC-1731 references several related standards that specify requirements for specific raw material types. Understanding these connections helps both suppliers and customers apply the complete framework.

Raw Material Specifications Referenced by IPC-1731

Standard	Material Type	Scope
IPC-4110	Cellulose Paper	Paper reinforcement for FR-2/CEM-1 laminates
IPC-4130	E-Glass Mat	Nonwoven glass fiber mat reinforcement
IPC-4411	Aramid Reinforcement	Nonwoven para-aramid reinforcement
IPC-4412	Woven Glass Fabric	Finished fabric woven from E-glass
IPC-4562	Metal Foil	Copper and other metal foils for PCBs
IPC-A-142	Aramid Fabric	Woven aramid fabric reinforcement
IPC-QF-143	Quartz Fabric	Woven quartz fiber fabric
IPC-SG-141	Glass Fabric	Finished fabric woven from E-glass yarns

Companion Standards for Laminators

Laminate manufacturers receiving raw materials qualified per IPC-1731 typically work within this broader standards framework:

Standard	Purpose
IPC-1730	Laminator Qualification Profile (LQP) – similar to SRMSQP but for laminate manufacturers
IPC-4101	Specification for Base Materials for Rigid and Multilayer Printed Boards
IPC-4103	Specification for Base Materials for High Speed/High Frequency Applications
IPC-4204	Flexible Metal-Clad Dielectrics Specification

Together, these standards create a qualification chain from raw materials through finished laminates.

Benefits of IPC-1731 Compliance

Adopting IPC-1731 provides tangible benefits for all stakeholders in the raw materials supply chain.

Benefits for Suppliers

Reduced Administrative Burden

Maintaining a single standardized profile instead of multiple customer-specific questionnaires saves significant time and ensures consistency.

Professional Presentation

An industry-standard format demonstrates professionalism and alignment with recognized best practices.

Competitive Advantage

Customers increasingly expect suppliers to provide standardized documentation. Having an IPC-1731 compliant SRMSQP ready positions you favorably against competitors who can’t provide equivalent information.

Streamlined Customer Qualification

New customer qualification moves faster when you can provide a comprehensive, professionally formatted profile that answers most initial questions upfront.

Benefits for Customers

Consistent Supplier Evaluation

Standardized format enables apples-to-apples comparison across suppliers.

Reduced Qualification Time

Pre-formatted profiles accelerate the initial qualification process, letting you focus effort on product-specific requirements.

Better Supply Chain Visibility

Comprehensive supplier documentation supports supply chain risk management and business continuity planning.

Audit Efficiency

SRMSQP provides a roadmap for on-site audits, identifying areas requiring deeper investigation.

Useful Resources for IPC-1731

Official IPC Documentation

• IPC-1731 Standard Purchase – Official standard from IPC Store
• IPC Standards Specification Tree – Shows relationship between IPC standards
• IPC Document Revision Table – Current revision status of all IPC standards

Related IPC Standards

• IPC-1730 Laminator Qualification Profile – Companion standard for laminate manufacturers
• IPC-4101 Base Materials Specification – Laminate and prepreg requirements
• IPC-4562 Metal Foil Specification – Copper foil requirements

Industry Organizations

• IPC – Association Connecting Electronics Industries – Standards body homepage
• IPC Validation Services – QPL and validation programs
• IPC Standards Support – Technical questions and implementation support

Quality System Resources

• ISO 9001 Quality Management – Quality system certification referenced in SRMSQP
• IATF 16949 Automotive Quality – Automotive supply chain certification
• AS9100 Aerospace Quality – Aerospace supply chain certification

Frequently Asked Questions About IPC-1731

Is IPC-1731 mandatory for raw material suppliers?

IPC-1731 is not mandatory in the regulatory sense—no law requires its use. However, many laminate manufacturers have adopted it as their preferred or required format for supplier qualification documentation. If your customers request IPC-1731 compliant profiles, providing them demonstrates your commitment to industry standards and can be a competitive differentiator. For suppliers serving multiple laminate manufacturers, maintaining an SRMSQP makes practical sense even if not all customers explicitly require it.

How often should the SRMSQP be updated?

IPC recommends conscientious maintenance of the SRMSQP, but doesn’t mandate specific update intervals. Best practice is to review and update the profile at least annually, with immediate updates when significant changes occur—such as quality system recertification, major equipment additions, facility changes, or key personnel changes. Many suppliers tie SRMSQP updates to their management review cycle, ensuring the profile reflects current status. Customers may request updated profiles as part of periodic supplier reviews or re-qualification processes.

What’s the difference between IPC-1731 and IPC-1730?

IPC-1731 (SRMSQP) is for raw material suppliers to laminate manufacturers, while IPC-1730 (Laminator Qualification Profile or LQP) is for laminate manufacturers themselves. Think of it as adjacent links in the supply chain: copper foil and glass fabric suppliers use IPC-1731 to qualify to laminate manufacturers, who in turn use IPC-1730 to qualify to PCB fabricators. Both standards serve similar purposes—providing standardized qualification profiles—but for different positions in the supply chain.

Can we use IPC-1731 for suppliers not covered by the standard?

The standard was designed specifically for raw materials suppliers to the laminate industry, but its structure can inform supplier qualification programs for other material types. Some companies adapt the SRMSQP format for qualifying other suppliers, such as chemical suppliers, packaging suppliers, or equipment vendors. If you do this, be clear that you’re using an IPC-1731-based approach rather than claiming compliance with a standard that doesn’t technically apply. The standardized section structure and comprehensive coverage make it a useful template even beyond its original scope.

How does IPC-1731 relate to ISO 9001 certification?

IPC-1731 and ISO 9001 serve different purposes but complement each other. ISO 9001 certifies that a supplier has implemented a quality management system meeting international standards. IPC-1731 documents the details of that system along with facility capabilities, testing resources, and other qualification information. A supplier can be ISO 9001 certified without having an SRMSQP, and can have an SRMSQP without being ISO 9001 certified—though customers typically expect both. The SRMSQP quality system section specifically asks about ISO 9001 and other certifications, so the standards work together to provide a complete picture of supplier quality capabilities.

Implementing IPC-1731 in Your Organization

Whether you’re a supplier preparing to create your first SRMSQP or a customer incorporating IPC-1731 into your supplier management program, successful implementation requires a systematic approach.

For Suppliers: Getting Started

1. Obtain the Standard: Purchase IPC-1731 from the IPC Store to get the official MS Word template
2. Assign Responsibility: Designate an owner for SRMSQP creation and maintenance
3. Gather Information: Collect data from quality, operations, and management teams
4. Complete the Template: Work through each section systematically
5. Review and Approve: Have management review the completed profile
6. Establish Update Process: Define triggers and schedules for updates

For Customers: Integration Steps

1. Define Requirements: Decide how IPC-1731 fits your supplier qualification program
2. Communicate to Suppliers: Inform current and potential suppliers of your expectations
3. Create Review Procedures: Develop checklists and criteria for evaluating submitted profiles
4. Train Staff: Ensure procurement and quality teams understand the SRMSQP structure
5. Integrate Systems: Link SRMSQP data to your supplier management systems
6. Monitor Compliance: Track profile currency and completeness across your supply base

IPC-1731 represents the electronics industry’s commitment to standardized, efficient supplier qualification. By adopting this common framework, raw material suppliers and laminate manufacturers can focus less on paperwork and more on the partnerships and product quality that drive business success.