ShankuChakra Protocol
SCP-003 — Product Specification Protocol
Revision date: 2026-09-01
ShankuChakra recommended operational protocol — this is not an official government or international standard.
Purpose
To document a clear, mutually agreed product specification before production or procurement, reducing disputes over quality at the time of shipment.
Scope
Applies to any confirmed order for spices, agricultural commodities or food products where a written specification has not already been finalized.
Definitions
- Specification
- A written statement of the required product parameters, packaging and testing requirements agreed between buyer and seller.
Required Information
- Product name, variety/type and grade
- Quality parameters relevant to the product (e.g., moisture, foreign matter, colour value, pungency, curcumin content, microbiological limits, pesticide residue limits)
- Packaging type, material and unit weight
- Labelling requirements
- Testing and certification requirements, including which lab or standard applies
- Shelf-life or best-before requirement, if applicable
Procedure
- Draft a specification sheet based on the buyer's stated requirements and the product's normal commercial range.
- Explicitly flag any parameter the buyer has not specified, and confirm a default before finalizing.
- Share the draft specification with the buyer in writing and obtain confirmation or edits.
- Store the finally agreed specification alongside the purchase order for reference during quality checks.
- Reference the agreed specification, not verbal understanding, when performing pre-shipment inspection.
Checklist
- All relevant quality parameters listed with agreed limits
- Packaging and labelling requirements documented
- Testing/lab requirement agreed (which parameters, which lab)
- Specification confirmed in writing by the buyer
- Specification stored with the order file
Documents Required
- Written product specification sheet
- Buyer confirmation (email or signed document)
Risks
- Relying on a verbal or assumed specification that is disputed after shipment
- Ambiguous parameters (e.g., 'good quality') that cannot be objectively verified
- Mismatched understanding of which lab or method applies to a test result
Common Mistakes
- Leaving one or more quality parameters undefined and assuming a 'standard' applies
- Not specifying which testing method or laboratory is authoritative in case of a dispute
- Failing to document packaging specifications in enough detail (liner type, bag weight, pallet requirements)
Verification Points
- Is every quality parameter the buyer cares about explicitly defined with a limit?
- Has the buyer confirmed the specification in writing?
- Is the applicable test method or laboratory agreed in advance?
Disclaimer
This is a ShankuChakra recommended operational protocol, not an official government, regulatory, or international standard. It reflects common industry practice and should be adapted to the specific buyer, product, destination and contract. Always verify current legal, regulatory and customs requirements with the relevant authority before relying on this protocol for a commercial shipment.