Quality Assurance in not "Waste". More production time and material waste is produced due to inferior production and rework than most other factors. The key is to implement the QA process seamlessly into the manufacturing process and close as possible to the potential creation of the defect. Thus you are able to maintain production speed and reduce the risk of impact from the number of defective parts created. Reduced Labor and Waste costs are a byproduct of a true LEAN system. Not the objective goal. If you start with the goal of cutting labor costs, then you lose the motivation and cooperation of your workforce.