Nonreworkable

Nonreworkable is an adjective used in manufacturing and quality control to describe a product or component that cannot be brought into compliance with specifications through standard rework processes. Items classified as nonreworkable must be scrapped, disposed of, or redesigned and therefore do not continue through normal production or inspection cycles.

Determination hinges on factors such as irreparable material damage, failures exceeding tolerance limits, safety risks, or design flaws that cannot be corrected by repair, replacement of parts, or process adjustments within acceptable cost or time constraints. The designation is often made during inspection, testing, or post-production review and is documented for traceability.

Once labeled nonreworkable, items typically exit the production line and are recorded as scrap or waste. The disposition affects cost accounting, yield metrics, and supplier performance data. In some cases, salvageable components from a nonreworkable lot may be recovered, but the final product cannot meet original specifications.

Nonreworkable is contrasted with reworkable items that can be repaired or revised to meet requirements. The concept is common in lean manufacturing, quality management, and regulatory contexts, where clear criteria for rework versus scrap support efficient operations and risk management.