Acceptable Quality Limit (AQL)

How to determine the quantity to be inspected?

While we all would like to have every single unit of
goods to be inspected, this is simply not practicable or
affordable for most products and companies.
The best approach, which is recommended by
International Standards Agencies such as ANSI/ ASQ, is
to use the AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit or Level)
approach to determine both the sample inspection size
and the levels required to determine of an Inspection is
a Pass or a Fail.
We use the internationally recognized Acceptable
Quality Limit (AQL) standard for all product inspections.
For each inspection, this allows the client to set their
acceptable quality tolerance levels.

What is AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit or

Level)?
AQL is sometimes called Acceptable Quality Limit by
some people or Acceptable Quality Level by others.
They both essentially mean the same thing.
To determine the AQL level of a product you need to
use the measure table that is recommended by ISO
2859, NF06-022, DIN 40080, BS 6001, ANSI/ASQC
Z1.4.
This table allows you to determine the sample size
(amount or quantity) that should be taken from an order
or batch to be inspected or tested. It then provides you
with the values to determine whether a product has met
the buyers specifications and passes or fails the
inspection.The customer then has the data to make an
informed decision to accept or reject the lot.
You can then determine the tolerance levels in terms of
Critical, Major and Minor levels for your product. The
tolerance levels is a fair and equitable method which
gives the seller and the buyer leeway to determine what
is an Pass or Fail for an order.
The way to determine these are below:
 Critical defects (totally unacceptable: a user
might get harmed, or regulations are not respected) -
0% e.g. plug on an electrical device and it smokes, or
a non-welded bar in a bed The product is dangerous
 Major defects (these products would usually not be
considered acceptable by the end user) – usually
2.5% e.g. scratches that are noticeable and may
prevent the product being sold
 Minor defects (there is some departure from
specifications, but most users would not mind it). –
usually 4.0% e.g. a small scratch on the bottom of a
leg of a bed, or on non-visual piece on an electrical
appliance
All Inspection reports generated by the inspection
companies listed on Goodada.com will clearly display
the AQL standards and show you if the production has
failed or passed.

How do I calculate the correct sample size and

acceptance value?
For the majority of products the best suggestion is to
use a Standard Level II. If this is the accepted Level
then the table below will provide the sample size, critical,
major and minor vales (acceptable value) see the page
below

For any non-standard products, or products where the

buyer requires a more detailed inspection, please refer
to the tables below.
Our inspectors would be delighted to assist you to
determine the correct levels, sample size and
acceptance numbers
Sample Size Chart – this will allow you to determine
the amount or quantity of your sample
Use the letter identified in the Sample Size Chart to
determine the Acceptance Values and Sample Size