A repeat nonconformance is the recurrence of the same or similar failure to meet a specified requirement after it has already been identified, corrected, or addressed. In manufacturing, it commonly indicates that the prior containment, correction, or corrective action did not fully remove the cause of the issue.
Repeat nonconformances are tracked in quality systems, NCR workflows, CAPA processes, supplier quality records, audits, and production reviews. They may involve product characteristics, process steps, documentation, training, inspection results, or supplier performance. For example, the same missing inspection record appearing on multiple lots, or the same dimensional failure recurring after a corrective action, may be treated as a repeat nonconformance.
The term should not be confused with a duplicate record for the same event. A repeat nonconformance refers to a recurring condition or failure pattern, not simply multiple entries describing one occurrence. It is also broader than a repeat defect, because it can apply to any requirement, not only a physical product defect.