Manufacture of substandard products

Deterioration in product quality
Poor workmanship
Low quality merchandise
Inadequate quality control
Shoddy workmanship
Deficient quality assurance

Nature

Competition for markets has led to a great increase in the rate of introduction of new designs for products, and increasing pressure is placed upon all concerned to produce at a lower price than competitors. It is therefore no longer possible to continue long-term production of a product once it has been developed to an adequate level of quality. In addition, considerations of economy, and the enormous increase in the scale of manufacturing, have led to heavy dilution of the skilled labour force formerly employed to produce quality products; and competition is further intensified as developing countries enter the market with competing products.

It is useful to distinguish between (a) poor quality from the perspective of the producer and (b) the user. One author distinguishes between custom- designed or built products and mass-produced ones. Custom designed dams, software, ships, financial investments, consulting work, etc., are different because there is no clear difference between design, production and delivery. They all happen effectively at the same time.

One can also distinguish between (a) poor quality products (b) deterioration over time in the quality of products and (c) poor quality not just linked to products but also services, research, etc.

Background

The global significance of substandard product manufacture emerged in the early 20th century, as industrialization enabled mass production and international trade. High-profile incidents—such as defective pharmaceuticals in the 1930s and unsafe consumer goods in the postwar era—drew attention to the widespread risks posed by inadequate quality control. Subsequent international regulatory efforts and consumer advocacy movements highlighted the persistent and evolving nature of this problem across diverse industries and regions.

Incidence

The manufacture of substandard products is a pervasive issue affecting diverse sectors such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, automotive, and construction materials. Globally, the World Health Organization estimated in 2017 that one in ten medical products in low- and middle-income countries is substandard or falsified, posing significant health and safety risks. The economic impact is substantial, with billions lost annually due to recalls, legal actions, and diminished consumer trust.
In 2022, authorities in Nigeria seized over 1.5 million substandard electrical cables in Lagos, which failed safety tests and posed fire hazards. This incident highlighted ongoing challenges in regulatory enforcement and consumer protection.

Claim

If you like it, it fits and you can afford it, it falls apart the first time you wear it.

Quality assurance doesn't.

Counter-claim

The so-called issue of manufacturing substandard products is grossly exaggerated. In reality, market forces naturally weed out poor-quality goods, as consumers simply stop buying them. Companies have every incentive to maintain standards to stay competitive. Regulatory overreach only stifles innovation and increases costs. Frankly, the supposed problem of substandard products is a distraction from more pressing concerns and does not warrant the attention or resources it currently receives.