A nonconformance record (NCR) is a controlled quality record that documents a product, material, process, or documentation condition that does not meet a specified requirement. It identifies what was found, the requirement that was not met, the affected item or lot, and the actions taken to contain, evaluate, disposition, and close the issue.
In manufacturing systems, an NCR is commonly used in quality management, MES, ERP, inspection, and MRB workflows. It may capture defect details, inspection evidence, segregation status, traceability information, disposition decisions, approvals, and links to rework, repair, scrap, use-as-is, supplier action, or corrective action processes.
An NCR should not be confused with the disposition itself. The record documents the nonconformance and its handling; it does not automatically mean the item is scrapped, reworked, or accepted. It also differs from a CAPA or RCCA record, which typically addresses systemic cause analysis and corrective action beyond the immediate nonconforming condition.