A Quality Assurance Representative (QAR) is an authorized person who reviews, witnesses, or verifies quality-related activities and records on behalf of an organization, customer, or government agency. In manufacturing, the role commonly applies to inspections, test witnessing, source inspection, nonconformance review support, and verification that required quality evidence is present.
In aerospace and defense supply chains, a QAR may be involved when contract terms, customer requirements, or flowdown requirements call for external quality oversight. During First Article Inspection (FAI), for example, a QAR may witness inspection steps, review an AS9102 package, or perform source inspection before shipment when required.
A QAR does not replace the supplier’s responsibility for product conformity, configuration control, inspection records, nonconformance handling, or maintaining required quality system evidence. The role should also not be confused with final customer acceptance unless the applicable contract or process specifically assigns that authority.