Frequently Asked Questions
General
What does Product Integrity Matters, LLC do?
Product Integrity Matters, LLC helps companies design, evaluate, and support safer, compliant products. This includes engineering analysis, regulatory guidance, documentation support, and risk assessment—helping you make your product both sound and defensible.
Who do you typically work with?
We work with manufacturers, suppliers, engineering teams, and legal teams—particularly those involved in transportation industry, and mechanical systems.
At what stage of a project do you get involved?
Anywhere in the lifecycle:
- Early design and concept review (preferred)
- Pre-production validation
- Post-launch field issues
- Investigations and potential recall situations
Services & Approach
What makes your approach different from other advisors?
The focus is on practical, defensible engineering—not just theory. Recommendations are grounded in real-world experience, regulatory understanding, and what will hold up under scrutiny.
Do you provide design services or just review existing designs?
Primarily focused on review, analysis, and guidance, but that often includes actionable recommendations your team can implement immediately.
Can you help us understand what standards apply to our product?
Yes. One of the core services is helping companies identify and interpret applicable standards and regulations (including FMVSS), and translate them into clear design and documentation expectations.
Do you help with documentation?
Absolutely. Clear, structured documentation is a key part of product integrity and defensibility. Support includes:
- Design rationale
- Test plans and reports
- Engineering justifications
- Compliance documentation
Risk, Compliance & Investigations
What is a “defensible” product or design?
A defensible product is one where the engineering decisions can be clearly explained and justified using sound principles, appropriate standards, and documented evidence.
Can you help if we are dealing with a product failure or field issue?
Yes. Support includes:
- Failure analysis
- Root cause investigation
- Risk evaluation
- Recommended corrective actions
Do you assist with recall investigations?
Yes. This includes evaluating whether a defect exists, assessing safety risk, and helping determine appropriate next steps from both an engineering and regulatory perspective.
How do you approach risk assessment?
Risk is evaluated based on:
- Severity of potential harm
- Likelihood of occurrence
- Exposure and usage conditions
The goal is to provide clear, actionable guidance, not just theory.
Legal & Expert Support
Do you work with legal teams?
Yes. Support is often provided to legal teams needing engineering clarity, analysis, or documentation related to product performance, compliance, or failure.
Do you serve as an expert witness?
No, but support can given to prepare your internal experts.
What kind of documentation is important in legal situations?
Well-structured, contemporaneous documentation such as:
- Design decisions and rationale
- Test data and reports
- Compliance analysis
- Internal reviews
This is often the difference between a strong and weak defense.
Engagement & Logistics
What does a typical engagement look like?
Engagements are tailored, but often include:
- Initial discovery call
- Review of available information
- Plant / Product tours
- Targeted analysis and recommendations
- Follow-up discussion and support
Do you work on short-term or long-term projects?
Both. Some engagements are focused, short-term assessments, while others involve ongoing support across a project lifecycle.
Where are you located, and do you work remotely?
Based in Kentucky, with the ability to support clients remotely or on-site depending on project needs.
How do we get started?
The best first step is a conversation to understand your product, timeline, and needs. From there, we can define a focused and practical path forward.
Still have questions?
Let’s talk. Schedule a conversation to discuss your product, your risks, and how we can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.