AS/NZS 1748:1997

Accessed by SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY on 13 Aug 2015 [SUPERSEDED] (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

Australian/New Zealand Standard

Timber—Stress-graded —Product
requirements for mechanically
stress-graded timber
 AS/NZS 1748:1997

This Joint Australian/New Zealand Standard was prepared by Joint Technical

Committee TM/3, Timber Grading. It was approved on behalf of the Council of
Standards Australia on 25 July 1997 and on behalf of the Council of Standards
New Zealand on 22 August 1997. It was published on 5 November 1997.

The following interests are represented on Committee TM/3:

Accessed by SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY on 13 Aug 2015 [SUPERSEDED] (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

Australian Timber Importers Federation

CSIRO Building, Construction and Engineering
Housing Industry Association
Master Builders Australia
National Association of Forest Industries
New Zealand Forest Research Institute
New Zealand Timber Industry Federation
New Zealand Timber Suppliers Group
Pine Australia
Queensland Forest Research Institute
State Forests of New South Wales
University of Technology, Sydney

Review of Standards. To keep abreast of progress in industry, Joint Australian/

New Zealand Standards are subject to periodic review and are kept up to date by the issue
of amendments or new editions as necessary. It is important therefore that Standards users
ensure that they are in possession of the latest edition, and any amendments thereto.
Full details of all Joint Standards and related publications will be found in the Standards
Australia and Standards New Zealand Catalogue of Publications; this information is
supplemented each month by the magazines ‘The Australian Standard’ and ‘Standards
New Zealand’, which subscribing members receive, and which give details of new
publications, new editions and amendments, and of withdrawn Standards.
Suggestions for improvements to Joint Standards, addressed to the head office of either
Standards Australia or Standards New Zealand, are welcomed. Notification of any
inaccuracy or ambiguity found in a Joint Australian/New Zealand Standard should be made
without delay in order that the matter may be investigated and appropriate action taken.

This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 92073.

 AS/NZS 1748:1997
Accessed by SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY on 13 Aug 2015 [SUPERSEDED] (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

Australian/New Zealand Standard

Timber—Stress-graded —Product
requirements for mechanically
stress-graded timber

Originated in Australia as SAA MP18-1966.

Previous Australian editions AS 1748-1978 and AS 1749-1978.
Originated in New Zealand as part of NZS 3618:1984.
AS 1748-1978, AS 1749-1978 and part of NZS 3618:1984 jointly revised,
amalgamated and redesignated AS/NZS 1748:1997.

PUBLISHED JOINTLY BY:

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA
1 The Crescent,
Homebush NSW 2140 Australia
STANDARDS NEW ZEALAND
Level 10, Radio New Zealand House,
155 The Terrace,
Wellington 6001 New Zealand
ISBN 0 7337 1354 8
 AS/NZS 1748:1997 2

PREFACE

This Standard was prepared by the Joint Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand
Committee TM/3, Timber Grading, to supersede AS 1748 —1978, Mechanically stress-graded
timber.
The objective of this Standard is to provide suppliers and purchasers with mechanical
property requirements, marking requirements and physical requirements for stress-graded
timber.
Particular emphasis has been placed on producing a Standard that facilitates rather than
retards the development of technology, by specifying structural product performance
requirements over other issues.
The major change in this revision is the addition of a clause detailing the structural property
Accessed by SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY on 13 Aug 2015 [SUPERSEDED] (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

requirements for mechanically graded timber with reference being made to

AS/NZS 4490—1997, Timber —Stress-graded — Procedures for monitoring structural
properties, which details methods that are to be used for the initial evaluation of the
structural properties of graded timber and methods for periodic monitoring of those
properties. Included in the structural property requirements are methods for assessing the
characteristic values of the structural properties of the graded timber. The inclusion of the
clause on structural property requirements has enabled the clause on the examination of the
physical characteristics of the ends of the timber to be deleted from the Standard.
Physical requirements for utility considerations have been included. The utility considerations
include modified dimension requirements and new squareness requirements. All the physical
requirements are specified in the Standard, making cross-references to other Standards
unnecessary. The moisture condition of seasoned timber and a category of timber called MC
specified timber are defined. The colour marking of mechanically graded timber is not
required.
In accordance with SAA/SNZ HB 18.7 — 1994, Guidelines for third-party certification and
accreditation, Guide 7 —Guidelines for drafting of Standards suitable for use for conformity
assessment, the method by which control of quality during production is exercised by the
manufacturer is not defined in this Standard. However, it is recommended that production be
carried out under a third-party certification scheme.
The term ‘informative’ has been used in this Standard to define the application of the
appendix to which it applies. An ‘informative’ appendix is for information and guidance only.

 Copyright STANDARDS AUSTRALIA/ STANDARDS NEW ZEALAND

Users of Standards are reminded that copyright subsists in all Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand publications and software.
Except where the Copyright Act allows and except where provided for below no publications or software produced by Standards Australia
or Standards New Zealand may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form or transmitted by any means without prior permission
in writing from Standards Australia or Standards New Zealand. Permission may be conditional on an appropriate royalty payment. Australian
requests for permission and information on commercial software royalties should be directed to the head office of Standards Australia.
New Zealand requests should be directed to Standards New Zealand.
Up to 10 percent of the technical content pages of a Standard may be copied for use exclusively in-house by purchasers of the
Standard without payment of a royalty or advice to Standards Australia or Standards New Zealand.
Inclusion of copyright material in computer software programs is also permitted without royalty payment provided such programs are
used exclusively in-house by the creators of the programs.
Care should be taken to ensure that material used is from the current edition of the Standard and that it is updated whenever the Standard
is amended or revised. The number and date of the Standard should therefore be clearly identified.
The use of material in print form or in computer software programs to be used commercially, with or without payment, or in commercial
contracts is subject to the payment of a royalty. This policy may be varied by Standards Australia or Standards New Zealand at any time.
 3 AS/NZS 1748:1997

CONTENTS
Page

1 SCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4 MOISTURE CONTENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
5 STRUCTURAL PROPERTY REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
6 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS—STRENGTH CONSIDERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . 5
7 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS—UTILITY CONSIDERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
8 MARKING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Accessed by SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY on 13 Aug 2015 [SUPERSEDED] (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

APPENDICES
A COMMENTARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
B MEANS FOR DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE WITH THIS STANDA RD 12
 AS/NZS 1748:1997 4

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA/ STANDARDS NEW ZEALAND

Australian/New Zealand Standard

Timber — Stress-graded — Product requirements for
mechanically stress-graded timber

1 SCOPE This Standard specifies mechanical property requirements, marking

requirements and physical requirements for mechanically stress-graded timber.
NOTES:
1 The stress-grading machine sorts the timber on the basis of its modulus of elasticity.
Accessed by SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY on 13 Aug 2015 [SUPERSEDED] (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

2 Appendix A provides commentary. Appendix B provides information on the means for

demonstrating compliance with this Standard.

2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS The following documents are referred to in this

Standard:
AS
1199 Sampling procedures and tables for inspection by attributes
1399 Guide to AS 1199 — Sampling procedures and tables for inspection by
attributes
1604 Timber — Preservative-treated— Sawn and round
1720 Timber structures (known as the SAA Timber Structures Code)
1720.1 Part 1: Design methods
NZS
3603 Timber Structures Standard
AS/NZS
1080 Timber — Methods of test
1080.1 Method 1: Moisture content
4063 Timber—Stress-graded—In-grade strength and stiffness evaluation
4490 Timber—Stress-graded—Procedure for monitoring structural properties
4491 Timber — Glossary of terms in timber-related Standards
ISO 9000 Quality management and quality assurance standards
ISO 9000.1 Part 1: Guidelines for selection and use
ISO 9004 Quality management and quality system elements
ISO 9004.1 Part 1: Guidelines
SAA
HB18 Guidelines for third-party certification and accreditation
HB18.28 Guide 28 — General rules for a model third-party certification scheme for
products

3 DEFINITIONS For the purpose of this Standard, the definitions given in AS/NZS 4491
and those below apply.
3.1 Mechanically stress-graded timber — timber that has been non-destructively tested by
mechanical grading equipment and that meets the product specifications contained in this
Standard.

COPYRIGHT
 5 AS/NZS 1748:1997

3.2 Stress grade (N) —a classification system for structural timber or wood product which
gives characteristic properties for design purposes for each stress grade. A piece of timber
or a population of timber is deemed to fall into a particular stress grade on the basis of
visual, machine, mechanical or other method of assessment.
3.3 MC specified timber — timber for which the moisture content is specified
(e.g. MC Specified 9 percent).

4 MOISTURE CONTENT Where timber produced according to this Standard is specified

as seasoned, the moisture content of 90 percent or greater of the parcel of timber at the time
of production shall be within 8 and 15 percent moisture content unless otherwise specified.
Where moisture content has been specified (MC specified timber), 90 percent of the parcel
at the time of production shall be within ±3 percent moisture content of the specified value.
NOTE: The above requirements reflect the expected normal distribution under existing kiln drying
Accessed by SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY on 13 Aug 2015 [SUPERSEDED] (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

methods.

5 STRUCTURAL PROPERTY REQUIREMENTS

5.1 Initial evaluation and periodic monitoring of structural properties Timber
produced in accordance with this Standard shall have structural properties not less than the
values designated by the manufacturer when assessed in accordance with AS/NZS 4490.
5.2 Assessment of conformity of structural properties Where it is required to confirm
the structural properties of a consignment of mechanically stress-graded timber then sampling
and testing shall be undertaken in accordance with AS/NZS 4063 to determine the modulus
of elasticity and modulus of rupture of the samples.
NOTE: Structural properties determined using in-grade testing only remain valid while the
controlling process variables remain within the limits defined in the manufacturing specification.

6 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS — STRENGTH CONSIDERATIONS

6.1 General The limitations on visual characteristics listed in this Clause are required in
order to meet strength considerations.
6.2 Limitations for softwood species All characteristics passed by the machine shall be
permitted in a piece of softwood except the following, to the limits given:
(a) Resin streaks, resin pockets, bark pockets Extending from one surface to the opposite
surface, and individually longer than the width of the piece.
(b) Heart shakes Exceeding 3 mm in width or extending from one surface to the opposite
surface.
(c) Cross shakes, splits other than end splits Of any length.
(d) End splits Aggregate length at each end exceeding the lesser of twice the width or
200 mm; length individually exceeding half the width.

COPYRIGHT
 AS/NZS 1748:1997 6

6.3 Limitations for hardwood species All characteristics passed by the machine shall be
permitted in a piece of hardwood except the following, to the limits given:
(a) Heart shakes Of any length.
(b) Loose gum veins and ring shakes As follows:
(i) Exceeding 3 mm wide; aggregate length exceeding 1/3 the length of the piece.
(ii) Extending from one surface to another.
(iii) Intersecting an end and extending from surface to surface — to be considered as
end splits (see Item (e)).
(c) Gum pockets, latex pockets, resin pockets, bark pockets, overgrowth of
injury Extending from one surface to another individually longer than the width of
the piece.
(d) Splits other than end splits Of any length.
Accessed by SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY on 13 Aug 2015 [SUPERSEDED] (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

(e) End splits Aggregate length at each end exceeding the lesser of twice the width or
200 mm length; individually exceeding half the width.
(f) Sapwood susceptible to lyctid attack Exceeding in aggregate 1/4 of the cross-sectional
area or exceeding 1/3 of the narrower surface.

7 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS — UTILITY CONSIDERATIONS

7.1 General The limitations on visual characteristics listed in this Clause are for utility
considerations. They are included in order to assist the marketability of mechanically stress-
graded timber.
7.2 Softwood species The visual characteristics allowed by Clause 6.2 shall be permitted
for softwood except that the following, to the limits given, are not permitted:
(a) Dimensions Deviations of the actual dimensions of the timber from the specified
dimensions by more than the following are not permitted:
(i) Length not less than the specified length.
(ii) For width and thickness, except where permitted want and wane occurs,
exceeding—
(A) 2 mm maximum difference within any piece; and
(B) measured at any point in its length—
(1) +2, −4 mm for unseasoned timber F-grades up to F7;
(2) ±3 mm for unseasoned timber F-grades F8 and above;
(3) +5, −0 mm for seasoned or MC specified timber;
(4) as in Items (1), (2) or (3) but with an additional requirement of a
maximum 2 mm difference between all pieces within a parcel for the
sized dimension of the timber; and
(5) +2, −0 mm of the specified finished size for dressed timber.
NOTE: The dimensional tolerances for width and thickness given here are utility tolerances
only. Individual stress grading machines may require tighter tolerances on the input timber in
order to provide suitable grading accuracy.
(b) Squareness Exceeding ±0.5 degrees, i.e. the angle at the arrises exceeds 90 ±0.5
degrees.
NOTE: This is equivalent to less than 1 mm per 100 mm across the surface.
(c) Knots Extending across an entire surface exceeding 75 percent KAR.

COPYRIGHT
 7 AS/NZS 1748:1997

(d) Wane, want Exceeding 1/3 of the edge or exceeding 1/2 of the face.
(e) Machine skip For dressed material, when the machine skip on the face or edge for the
full length of the piece is exceeding −0.5 mm.
(f) Bow, spring and twist Exceeding the limits given in Table 1.
NOTE: The limits for bow, spring and twist are based on timber of up to 50 mm of thickness.
(i) Cupping Exceeding 1 mm per 50 mm of width.

TABLE 1
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE BOW, SPRING AND TWIST

Spring, mm Twist, mm
Nominal length Bow
Accessed by SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY on 13 Aug 2015 [SUPERSEDED] (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

Nominal size width Nominal size width

m mm 150 and Up to 100 to 151 to 201 to
Up to 125
over 100 150 200 300
Up to 2.4 20 6 6 5 7 10 15
3.0 30 9 9 7 10 14 20
3.6 40 18 14 8 13 18 25
4.2 50 22 18 9 15 21 29
4.8 60 29 24 10 16 23 33
5.4 65 36 30 11 18 26 37

6.0 and over 70 44 36 12 20 28 40

NO TE: The permissible allowances for nominal lengths between those quoted in the Table may be obtained
by interpolation.

7.3 Hardwood species The characteristics allowed by Clause 6.3 shall be permitted for
hardwood except that the following, to the limits given, are not permitted:
(a) Dimensions Deviations of the actual dimensions of the timber from the specified
dimensions by more than the following are not permitted:
(i) Length not less than the specified length.
(ii) For width and thickness, except where permitted want and wane occurs,
exceeding—
(A) 2 mm maximum difference within any piece; and
(B) measured at any point in its length—
(1) ±3 mm for unseasoned timber;
(2) +5, −0 mm for seasoned or MC specified timber;
(3) as in Items (1) and (2) but with an additional requirement of a
maximum 2 mm difference between all pieces within a parcel for the
sized dimension of the timber; and
(4) +2, −0 mm of the specified finished size for dressed timber.
NOTE: The dimensional tolerances for width and thickness given here are utility tolerances
only. Individual stress grading machines may require tighter tolerances on the input timber in
order to provide suitable grading accuracy.
(b) Squareness Exceeding ±2 degrees, i.e. the angle at the arrises exceeds 90 ±2 degrees.

COPYRIGHT
 AS/NZS 1748:1997 8

(c) Knots Extending across an entire surface exceeding 75 percent KAR.

(d) Wane, want Exceeding 1/3 of the edge or exceeding 1/2 of the face.
(e) Machine skip For dressed material, machine skip on the face or edge for the full
length of the piece exceeding −0.5 mm.
(f) Bow, spring and twist Exceeding the limits given in Table 1.
NOTE: The limits for bow, spring and twist are based on timber of up to 50 mm of thickness.
(g) Cupping Exceeding 1 mm per 50 mm of width.

8 MARKING Timber produced in accordance with this Standard shall be assigned a grade
designation that applies to the whole piece. The producer’s written grade shall take
precedence over any other marks including colour marks used during production.
Mechanically stress-graded timber shall be durably marked at least once per piece with the
following legible information:
Accessed by SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY on 13 Aug 2015 [SUPERSEDED] (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

(a) Name or identification mark of the organization grading the timber.

(b) Stress grade.
(c) If seasoned timber, a mark to indicate this; or if MC specified, the moisture content
specified.
(d) Number of this Standard i.e. AS/NZS 1748.

COPYRIGHT
 9 AS/NZS 1748:1997

APPENDIX A
COMMENTARY
(Informative)

A1 GENERAL Mechanical stress grading provides a method of sorting timber into stress
grades (see Note).
The basic sorting is achieved by machine measurement of the modulus of elasticity over a
short span. Additional procedures are sometimes used by producers to enhance the accuracy
of the mechanical sorting process.
The most important structural properties of the mechanically stress-graded timber are
evaluated both during an initial testing program and at regular intervals thereafter to ensure
that their structural properties continue to fall within the ranges implied by the stress grade
Accessed by SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY on 13 Aug 2015 [SUPERSEDED] (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

claimed for the timber.

Mechanically stress-graded timber must also meet certain limitations on physical
characteristics that are not necessarily detected during the mechanical grading process and
which may restrict the utility of individual pieces of timber. The utility-limiting
characteristics are bow, spring, twist, wane and similar. These characteristics are a special
case as they do not normally affect the structural properties and therefore can be heavily
dependent on customer preferences.
Mechanical stress grading can establish the stress grade only at the actual time of grading.
Decay, checking or collapse during subsequent drying, cutting or shaping which reduces the
cross-sectional area at any point or other reworking, and decay or insect attack in service,
may subsequently alter the structural properties of the timber.
NOTE: The process of stress grading timber incorporates the following essential operations:
(a) Selection of a parent population of timber involving identification of resource, sizing methods
and other processes.
(b) Sorting of this population into sub-populations (in final sizes) that are then designated to
specific stress grades.
(c) Checking structural properties, (in-grade testing) of each grade/size combination (the identified
reference population of graded timber).
(d) Monitoring production and drift of resource properties to ensure production material is still
linked to the original reference.

A2 STRUCTURAL PROPERTY REQUIREMENTS The following information is given

on the Structural Property Requirements Clause:
(a) Together, AS/NZS 4490 and AS/NZS 4063 provide a means for the evaluation of the
structural design properties of a reference population of graded timber and for ongoing
monitoring of production. The two Standards require that the reference population is
clearly defined. A clear linkage between the reference population and its structural
properties is thereby established. Any significant difference between a population of
timber in question and the defined reference population may result in the loss of
linkage and therefore may invalidate use of the structural properties derived for the
reference population. Where a grading operation is carried out on a population which
is different from the evaluated reference population the linkage between the structural
design properties and the reference population may be lost.
(b) Operators should be aware of potential structural reliability problems with some types
of raw material. For example, brittle heart which is present in some hardwood timber
should be excluded from the mechanical grading operation. In addition material with
abnormal defects or damage should also be excluded. It is expected that producers will

COPYRIGHT
 AS/NZS 1748:1997 10

prepare written instructions and provide appropriate training to mill personnel to

minimise the potential for structural reliability problems when the graded timber is
used.
(c) Operators should be aware that mechanical grading programs sometimes require
adjustment in order for the graded timber to satisfy the periodic monitoring
requirements of AS/NZS 4490.
(d) Sampling for the structural property determinations required by AS/NZS 4490 should
take place with the stress grading machine operating under normal industrial conditions
at its normal operating speed. Before sampling is carried out the machine should be
calibrated and the grading program set as required for the mechanical stress grade or
grades to be evaluated. Stress grades should be evaluated in the grade/size combination
in which they are to be produced.
(e) The stress grades of timber that are normally produced in accordance with this Standard
are those listed in AS 1720.1 and NZS 3603.
Accessed by SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY on 13 Aug 2015 [SUPERSEDED] (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

A3 ASSESSMENT OF CONFORMITY Within any one consignment of stress-graded

timber, there will be a significant variation in the natural characteristics (such as knots,
density etc.) present and as a result the strength and stiffness of individual pieces will vary
considerably as the stress grade is assigned to populations of timber, not to individual pieces.
Assessment of conformity of structural properties (for example, in cases of a dispute over the
adequacy of strength or stiffness) should therefore be carried out on a reasonably large
random sample of the consignment in question. Assessment of conformity of structural
properties of mechanically stress-graded timber cannot therefore be carried out on one or a
small number of individual pieces or sections of individual pieces of timber.

A4 MARKING The following information is given on the Marking Clause:

(a) Coloured ink spray marks are often used by producers during mechanical grading
operations. The markings are applied by the stress grading machine and are indications
of the modulus of elasticity at individual points. The marking assists the producer to
sort individual pieces of timber into particular stress grades. The sorting may involve
processes other than mechanical stress grading to improve the accuracy of grading, for
example visual assessment, proof loading or assessment with the aid of special
equipment. The assessments made in addition to the actual process of mechanical stress
grading may therefore result in a piece of timber being assigned to a different stress
grade than indicated by a colour mark. Colour spray marks are therefore secondary to
the grade indicated by the producer’s mark.
There are other reasons for a piece of timber being assigned or appearing to be
assigned to a different stress grade than indicated by a particular colour mark; one is
the fact that there are a limited number of colours available for marking timber and in
order to facilitate the production of other stress grades by producers certain colours
need to be re-used for the new stress grades. Another reason is that ink fading or
changes in ink colour over time result in confusion as to the producer’s intended grade.
Therefore the written grade is the grade which carries the producer’s guarantee of
conformance.
(b) The following documents may have specific marking requirements for structural timber
which may be additional to that specified in this Standard:
(i) The Queensland Timber Utilisation and Marketing Act.
(ii) The New South Wales Timber Marketing Act.
(iii) AS 1604.
(iv) Part 41, Victorian Building Regulations.
(v) Western Australian Uniform Building Bylaws.
(vi) New Zealand Building Regulations.

COPYRIGHT
 11 AS/NZS 1748:1997

(c) Removable marks (for example, paper labels) are normally considered as having
sufficient durability if they cannot be removed without obvious damage being done to
the mark.
Other information that is recommended for incorporation in the mark is as follows:
(i) The stress grading machine identifying code.
(ii) The identification mark of a certification organization.
(iii) The cross-section dimensions of the timber.
(iv) The letters ‘MSG’ to indicate that the timber has been mechanically stress-
graded.
Accessed by SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY on 13 Aug 2015 [SUPERSEDED] (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

COPYRIGHT
 AS/NZS 1748:1997 12

APPENDIX B
MEANS FOR DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE WITH THIS STANDARD
(Informative)

B1 SCOPE This Appendix sets out the following different means by which compliance
with this Standard can be demonstrated by the manufacturer or supplier:
(a) Evaluation by means of statistical sampling.
(b) The use of a product certification scheme.
(c) Assurance using the acceptability of the supplier’s quality system.
(d) Other such means proposed by the manufacturer or supplier and acceptable to the
Accessed by SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY on 13 Aug 2015 [SUPERSEDED] (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

customer.

B2 STATISTICAL SAMPLING Statistical sampling is a procedure which enables

decisions to be made about the quality of batches of items after inspecting or testing only a
portion of those items. This procedure will only be valid if the sampling plan has been
determined on a statistical basis and the following requirements are met:
(a) The sample shall be drawn randomly from a population of product of known history.
The history shall enable verification that the product was made from known materials
at essentially the same time, by essentially the same processes and under essentially the
same system of control.
(b) For each different situation, a suitable sampling plan needs to be defined. A sampling
plan for one manufacturer of given capability and product throughput may not be
relevant to another manufacturer producing the same items.
In order for statistical sampling to be meaningful to the customer, the manufacturer or
supplier needs to demonstrate how the above conditions have been satisfied. Sampling and
the establishment of a sampling plan should be carried out in accordance with AS 1199,
guidance to which is given in AS 1399.

B3 PRODUCT CERTIFICATION The purpose of product certification is to provide

independent assurance of the claim by the manufacturer that products comply with the stated
Standard.
The certification scheme should meet the criteria described in SAA HB18.28
(SANZ HB18.28) in that, as well as full type testing from independently sampled production
and subsequent verification of conformance, it requires the manufacturer to maintain effective
quality planning to control production.
The certification scheme serves to indicate that the products consistently conform to the
requirements of the Standard.

B4 SUPPLIER’S QUALITY SYSTEM Where the manufacturer or supplier can

demonstrate an audited and registered quality management system complying with the
requirements of the appropriate or stipulated Australian or international Standard for a
supplier’s quality system or systems, this may provide the necessary confidence that the
specified requirements will be met. The quality assurance requirements need to be agreed
between the customer and supplier and should include a quality or inspection and test plan
to ensure product conformity.
Guidance in determining the appropriate quality management system is given in
AS/NZS ISO 9000.1:1994 and AS/NZS ISO 9004.1:1994.

COPYRIGHT
 13 AS/NZS 1748:1997

B5 OTHER MEANS OF ASSESSMENT If the above methods are considered

inappropriate, determination of compliance with the requirements of this Standard may be
assessed by being based on the results of testing coupled with the manufacturer’s guarantee
of product conformance.
Irrespective of acceptable quality levels (AQLs) or test frequencies, the responsibility remains
with the manufacturer or supplier to supply products that conform with the full requirements
of the Standard.
Accessed by SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY on 13 Aug 2015 [SUPERSEDED] (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

COPYRIGHT
Accessed by SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY on 13 Aug 2015 [SUPERSEDED] (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

This page has been left intentionally blank.