A return material authorization (RMA) is a process used by manufacturers or suppliers to manage the return of defective or non-conforming products from customers. An RMA is typically initiated by the customer and requires a formal authorization from the manufacturer or supplier before the product can be returned.
The RMA process is an important tool in quality management system (QMS) for several reasons. First, it allows manufacturers or suppliers to track and manage the return of products, including the reason for the return, the condition of the product, and any corrective actions taken. This information can be used to identify trends or patterns in product failures, which can help to improve the design or manufacturing processes.