First Article Inspection Report (German: Erstmusterprüfbericht)
EMPB is the German abbreviation for Erstmusterprüfbericht, the German equivalent of the First Article Inspection Report
Erstmusterprüfbericht = First Article Inspection Report
The German Erstmusterprüfbericht (EMPB) documents all the test results for a Initial samples. Er dient als verbindlicher Nachweis, um Produkte oder Bauteile vor dem eigentlichen Produktionsstart für die Serienfertigung freizugeben. The EMPB is the central documentation and reporting tool within the Production Process and Product Approval Procedure (PPF)1 nach VDA Band 2. Er dient als Beleg dafür, dass der Lieferant alle Qualitäts- und Geometrieanforderungen des Kunden unter realen Serienbedingungen erfüllen kann. Strukturell ist der Prüfbericht wie ein Kriterienkatalog aufgebaut. Bei der Herstellung und Abnahme von Produkten werden hier alle Prüfungsergebnisse am Erstmuster dokumentiert, wie beispielsweise Maße, Materialien oder besondere Eigenschaften.
The abbreviation EMPB stands for the German expression "Erstmusterprüfbericht".
Designations and allocation
- German designation:
First Article Inspection Report (German: Erstmusterprüfbericht) - English designation:
First Article Inspection Report (FAIR) - Verfahren:
- Production Process and Product Approval Procedure (PPF) 1
nach VDA Band 2 - Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)2 nach AIAG-Standard
- Production Process and Product Approval Procedure (PPF) 1
- Regelwerk:
PPF nach VDA Band 2 – Ensuring the quality of deliveries
What is an EMPB?
Inhaltsverzeichnis-
- Video: EMPB einfach erklärt
- Was ist der Zweck eines Erstmusterprüfberichts?
- What is the function of an EMPB?
- Was sind Anlässe für die Erstellung?
- EMPB cover sheet in accordance with VDA
- What does an EMPB contain?
- Wer erstellt ihn?
- Retention periods
- Submission of first article test report according to VDA
EMPB explained simply (video)
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More information💡ONLY IN GERMAN AVAILABLE: In this video, we explain:
- What is an EMPB?
- Wofür steht die Abkürzung?
- Welche Funktionen hat ein EMPB?
- Was sind Anlässe für die Erstellung?
- Muster für ein EMPB-Deckblatt
- Vorlage für einen Erstmusterprüfbericht
What is the purpose of an EMPB?
The first article inspection report enables the supplier to demonstrate to the customer that the products supplied comply with the customer’s specifications and quality requirements. In the FPR, the supplier documents the measured actual values of the product or production part and compares them with the customer’s target values. Furthermore, the FPR summarises and documents all key information relating to a product, such as product requirements, quality standards and necessary tests.
Welche Funktion hat er?
A first-article inspection report fulfils the following key functions in quality management and the supply chain.
The EMPB provides evidence of suitability for series production (quality certificate)
Der Erstmusterprüfbericht liefert den objektiven, dokumentierten Beweis, dass der Lieferant in der Lage ist, ein Produkt unter realen Serienbedingungen – exakt nach den Spezifikationen und Vorgaben des Kunden – zu fertigen.
The EMPB serves as legal and formal authorisation
Der Erstmusterprüfbericht dient als verbindliches Freigabedokument. Erst wenn der Kunde den Prüfbericht ohne Mängel genehmigt, erhält der Lieferant die offizielle Erlaubnis, mit der eigentlichen Serienproduktion zu beginnen.
Minimising risk for customers and suppliers
For the customer:
Der Erstmusterprüfbericht verhindert teure Fehlproduktionen, Ausschuss oder spätere Reklamationen, da Abweichungen rechtzeitig vor dem Start der Serienproduktion erkannt werden.
For the supplier:
Der Erstmusterprüfbericht sichert den Lieferanten rechtlich ab, da der Kunde mit der Freigabe bestätigt, dass die gelieferte Qualität den Anforderungen entspricht.
Ensuring traceability
The document ensures comprehensive documentation of all material properties, dimensions, surface finishes and test procedures. This is a legal requirement, particularly in regulated and safety-critical sectors – such as the automotive, aerospace and medical technology industries – for the purposes of audits and liability issues.
What are the reasons for drawing up an EMPB?
There may be various reasons for drawing up a first-article inspection report, such as the start of mass production, a new product design, a redesign or a re-assessment of the manufacturer’s quality.
Depending on the agreement, first-article inspection reports are requested and processed by both the supplier and the customer.
In such cases, an initial sampling procedure must generally be carried out:
- A new product or product component is being manufactured in series for the first time.
- A fault in an existing product or product part has been rectified and is now to be produced in series again.
- A product or product part is manufactured from a different material - as originally authorised.
- The production site is being relocated.
- …
EMPB cover sheet in accordance with VDA
Nebenstehend finden Sie ein Beispiel für ein Erstmusterprüfbericht-Deckblatt nach VDA.
In der nebenstehenden Vorlage wird ein Ventilträger geprüft.
You can view the complete (multi-page) example of an EMPB in accordance with VDA here as PDF download
Further down this page, you can view a detailed EMPB template in accordance with VDA as Excel spreadsheet to download.
Was beinhaltet ein Erstmusterprüfbericht?
The initial sample test report documents the results of the test on the "initial sample", such as:
- Geometries and dimensions (target and actual values)
- Materials
- Tactile feel
- Appearance
- Key features and characteristics
- ...
All relevant target and actual values for a part or product are documented in detail in the first-article inspection report; this ensures that, in the event of a production fault, defects can be quickly identified and rectified – ideally before the start of series production.
Who draws up an EMPB?
As a rule, initial sample test reports are drawn up by suppliers. The initial sample test report serves as proof for the supplier to the customer that the products supplied meet the quality requirements defined in the EMPB.
Retention periods
The retention of initial sample inspection reports is governed by §257 para. 1 HGB and § 147 AO.
As a general rule, production-related documents and initial sample test reports must be retained for at least 10 years after the end of series production; for components subject to documentation requirements (e.g. safety components), this period is often up to 15 or 30 years.
Related terms
Initial Sample
Before a component or product can go into series production, the first components produced under real series production conditions are submitted to the customer for inspection. These products are known as Initial Sample.
first article inspection
The inspection of the initial samples by the client is known as first article inspection. For the purchaser of the goods, the initial sample inspection is an important opportunity to carry out a quality control check on the goods ordered before they go into mass production.
Production process and product release (PPF)
The PPF procedure refers to the standardised overall procedure for sampling in German-speaking countries (in accordance with VDA Volume 2). The Initial Sample Test Report (EMPB) is the binding document produced at the end of this process, which records the specific product tests carried out.
→ Although the PPF procedure goes far beyond a mere documentation report in terms of content, the two terms are often used interchangeably in practice.
Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
PPAP is the North American equivalent of the German PPF procedure (as defined by the AIAG).
Submission of first article test report according to VDA
You can find an example of an EMPB in accordance with VDA here via PDF download
➤ In the following section, you will have the opportunity to view a detailed
Erstmusterprüfbericht-Vorlage nach VDA als Excel spreadsheet to download.
EMPB template in accordance with VDA | Excel template
Free of charge | English | Complete
Erstmusterprüfberichte in der Hälfte der Zeit erstellen – nach VDA, PPAP, AS9102 or use your own templates.
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Quellenangaben:
1 https://vda-qmc.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/VDA-2_Gelbband_7.-Auflage-2025.pdf, abgerufen am 3.11.2026
2 https://www.aiag.org/training-and-resources/manuals/details/PPAP-4, abgerufen am 3.11.2026
Related articles:
What is an initial sample?
What is PPAP?
What is APQP?
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