---
title: "Early Release Inspection Procedure"
slug: "early-release-inspection-procedure"
updated: 2023-06-08T15:14:12Z
published: 2023-06-08T15:14:12Z
canonical: "foodsafetyqualityterrain.manuals.wfp.org/early-release-inspection-procedure"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://foodsafetyqualityterrain.manuals.wfp.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Procedure - Early Release Inspections

This is a user guide for reporting test results for Early Release Inspections in FOSTER.

**Important note:**

- The steps below show where actions are different between Early Release Inspections and Pre-Shipment Inspections.
- All other parts of the process should be conducted as per the standard Pre-Shipment Inspections process on FOSTER.

**Quick links relevant to you:**

1. [What are Early Release Inspections?](/v2/docs/early-release-inspection-procedure#what-are-early-release-inspections)
2. [How does this affect reporting in FOSTER](/v2/docs/early-release-inspection-procedure#how-does-this-affect-reporting-in-foster)
3. [Early Release procedure for **Inspection Company** users](/v2/docs/early-release-inspection-procedure#a-early-release-procedure-for-inspection-company-users)
4. [Early Release procedure for **WFP** users](/v2/docs/early-release-inspection-procedure#b-early-release-procedure-for-wfp-users)

[](/v2/docs/early-release-inspection-procedure#b-early-release-procedure-for-wfp-users)

## **What are Early Release Inspections?**

Early Release Inspections are applicable when sampling of the commodity has taken place but the cargo is released **before the results have been returned** from the laboratory and reported to WFP.

In these situations, the WFP Procurement/FSQ teams request that **a more limited set of analytical tests** is conducted on the samples, focusing primarily on **Food Quality** parameters.

## **How does this affect reporting in FOSTER?**

- **For normal Pre-Shipment Inspections -** the full set of analytical tests defined by a Specification are mandatory to be carried out on test samples.
- **For Early Release Inspections -** it is possible to indicate certain tests as '**Not Applicable'** for that inspection by entering results in a specific format - provided this has been **explicitly stated by the WFP** Procurement/FSQ focal point
- When a Test is marked as 'Not Applicable' it's Deviation Class will automatically be classified as "Not Tested".

**Important Note:**

The "Not Tested" deviation class is applicable only to Early Release Inspections. If this deviation class is used for normal Pre-Shipment Inspections, the system will produce an error message, and the ILA will not be able to proceed to Final Approval **What are the alternate steps for processing Early Release Inspections?**

## A. Early release procedure for Inspection Company users

**Master Inspection Records**

These should be created and filled out as per normal process

#### **Individual Lab Analysis**

### 1. Inspection Type

Each ILA applicable for early release should have the Inspection Type Early Release Inspection, selected using the drop-down menu

![](https://foster.manuals.wfp.org/media/uploads/site-79/Early%20Release/inspectiontype1.png)

### 2a. Indicating a Qualitative Test as Not Applicable

To mark a qualitative test as "Not Applicable" you must input the following:

1. **Result Acceptable** field enter:

```
Yes
```
2. **Result Description** field enter

```
Not Tested ER
```

![](https://foster.manuals.wfp.org/media/uploads/site-79/Early%20Release/qualtester.png)

When ILA record is saved you will see the Pass/Fail updated to:

```
Not Applicable
```

![](https://foster.manuals.wfp.org/media/uploads/site-79/Early%20Release/qualnotapplicable.png)

### 2b. Indicating a Quantitative Test as Not Applicable

To mark a quantitative test as "Not Applicable" you must input the following:

1. **Result** field enter:

```
999999
```
2. **Uncertainty** field enter

```
0
```

![](https://foster.manuals.wfp.org/media/uploads/site-79/Early%20Release/quanttester.png)

When ILA record is saved you will see the Pass/Fail updated to:

```
Not Applicable
```

**![](https://foster.manuals.wfp.org/media/uploads/site-79/Early%20Release/quant-notapplicable.png)**

## B. Early release procedure for WFP users

### 3. Reviewing deviation Class for Not Applicable Tests

- All ILA records that are marked 'Early Release Inspection' must go through the FSQA Review phase
- The FSQA Officer should review the ILA and make sure that the tests that have been marked "Not Applicable" are appropriate
- The Deviation Class for these tests will automatically be entered as:

```
Not Tested
```

**![](https://foster.manuals.wfp.org/media/uploads/site-79/Early%20Release/devclassnottested.png)**

After this, the ILA can be processed as normal:

1. Send to "**Final** Review"
2. Final review completed by the Procurement officer
3. Send to "**Completed**"