Approved Vendor List
A controlled list of suppliers that have been qualified to provide specific parts or materials, maintained as a formal record within PLM or a connected quality management system.
Why it matters
The approved vendor list is the enforcement mechanism that prevents engineering designs from specifying unapproved suppliers and procurement from sourcing from unqualified ones — the two most common causes of supply chain quality escapes.
External References
This term appears in
Cite this definition
Finocchiaro, Michael. “Approved Vendor List.” DemystifyingPLM PLM Glossary, 2026, https://www.demystifyingplm.com/glossary/approved-vendor-list