| 1 | Applicable product standards | 14% | Product specifications and test reports identifying the exact hose type, intended use, standard, and edition. | Evidence is relevant to the application—for example, SAE J30 for applicable automotive fuel and oil hose, SAE J1527 for applicable marine fuel hose, or ISO 7840 for fire-resistant fuel hose on small craft. Standards are not interchangeable. |
| 2 | Fuel and fluid compatibility | 14% | Compatibility charts and documented test results for the specified fuel, additives, and exposure conditions. | Compatibility is stated for the exact product and fuel type, rather than assumed to apply to every rubber hose or every fuel blend. |
| 3 | Pressure and vacuum performance | 12% | Published working pressure, burst pressure where applicable, vacuum rating, and test method. | Ratings are clearly defined for the product and operating conditions; working pressure is not confused with burst pressure. |
| 4 | Temperature limits | 12% | Product-specific minimum and maximum operating temperatures, with supporting test or specification data. | Temperature limits are stated for the complete hose assembly and intended service, not inferred from a material name alone. |
| 5 | Quality-management systems | 12% | Current certificates, issuing-body details, validity dates, and the certified site and scope. | Relevant, verifiable quality-system certification, such as ISO 9001 or—where applicable to automotive supply— IATF 16949. These certify management systems, not automatic compliance of every product. |
| 6 | Testing and production controls | 12% | Inspection plans, test methods, calibration records, and sample or batch test reports. | Documented controls cover incoming materials, in-process production, and finished-product checks, with results linked to defined acceptance criteria. |
| 7 | Hose construction and materials | 10% | Construction details such as inner tube, reinforcement, and cover materials, plus applicable material specifications. | Construction is documented for the chosen application, with material and reinforcement details that support the stated performance claims. |
| 8 | Product range and application coverage | 8% | Catalogues and datasheets covering sizes, hose types, assemblies, and intended applications. | The supplier can identify suitable products for the buyer’s specific use, such as automotive, marine, or fuel-dispensing service, without treating them as interchangeable. |
| 9 | Traceability and change control | 7% | Batch or lot coding, material records, retention practices, and documented product-change procedures. | Delivered product can be traced to production records, and relevant changes to materials or manufacturing are managed and communicated. |
| 10 | Technical documentation and support | 5% | Current datasheets, installation guidance, safety information, and a process for technical inquiries or complaints. | Documentation is clear and product-specific, and technical responses can address operating conditions and application limits. |
| Total evaluation weight | 100% | Use the same evidence requirements and scoring method for every manufacturer being compared. |