Short answer
Ask who holds the ISO 22716 certificate. A manufacturer holds the certificate for the site that makes your product; a trading company usually shows a supplier's certificate or none. The certificate holder name should match the company on your contract and your invoice.
Second, ask to see the production lines — on site or by live video. A factory can show filling, sealing and packing for your actual product category. This single check resolves most ambiguity, and it is free.
The practical difference shows up in three places: MOQ (a factory can usually go lower because there is no intermediary margin), lead time (no relay of information through a third party), and documentation (a factory issues the PIF, INCI, SDS, DoC and COA directly).
Side-by-side comparison
| Check | Manufacturer | Trading company |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 22716 certificate holder | Matches the site | Supplier's or none |
| Can show lines for your category | Yes, live | Usually cannot |
| Issues PIF / INCI / SDS / COA | Directly | Relays from supplier |
| MOQ flexibility | Set by its own lines | Set by supplier plus margin |
| Formula change handling | In-house R&D | Passes the request on |
| Traceability of a batch | Direct | Through an intermediary |
When to choose which (and when not to)
| If you need | Prefer |
|---|---|
| Custom formula development | Manufacturer |
| Lowest possible MOQ | Manufacturer |
| One-stop sourcing across many categories | Either, with checks |
| Compliance documentation in your name | Manufacturer |
Frequently asked questions
Is buying from a trading company always worse?
No — for multi-category sourcing they can be efficient. The point is to know which one you are dealing with and what that means for MOQ, timing and paperwork.
What is the fastest way to verify a factory?
A live video audit of the lines that would make your product, plus the ISO 22716 certificate showing the same legal entity you will contract with.
Does EyeOEM accept factory audits?
Yes. Both on-site audits and remote video audits are available by appointment.
Formulating an eye-care product?
Send your target market, dosage form and estimated quantity — we reply with formulation advice, MOQ tiers, compliance notes and samples.
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EyeOEM · Eye-Care OEM/ODM R&D & Manufacturing · 2026-09-11 · sales@eyeoem.com