Glossary

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Acceptance Sampling
Acceptance Sampling is used to decide whether to accept or reject a production. It is performed once the production lot has been completed and packed.

The basic procedure of Acceptance Sampling is:
 Take a lot of product
 Select a sample from the lot
 Inspect the units in the sample
 Use the result to decide whether to accept or reject the lot.

To learn more about Acceptance Sampling Methods, please view Acceptance Sampling Method

AQL (Acceptable Quality Level)
The Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) establishes a maximum allowable error rate or variation from the standard. Acceptance testing will cease immediately if the failure rate of the product being tested exceeds the minimum Acceptable Quality Level.


Batch/Lot
A batch/lot is a collection of products - all identical in size, type, conditions and time of production - from which a sample will be taken to decide whether or not it conforms to the acceptance inspection.

Critical Defect
The "Critical Defect" corresponds to a defect likely to result in unsafe conditions for end-users. You can defect your own list of critical defects to be inspected. For critical defect, the defect AQA of Asian Quality Assurance is 0.

Defect classification
Defects detected during the inspections are generally classified in 3 categories:
 Critical defect
 Major defect
 Minor defect


Factory Audit
With reference to ISO 9000, SA 8000, or the client's specific requirements, an Asian Quality Assurance Auditor will perform the factory assessment. All the important elements, such as quality system procedures, production capacity, child labour, staff facilities and personal hygiene etc. are audited and a Factory Assessment report will be issued. On the basis of this, the Factory Audit enables the buyers to efficiently select a high-qualified vendor base.

Final Random Inspection
This is carried out when at least 80% of the goods ordered are export packed. Samples are selected at random, according to sampling standards and procedures. The inspection ensures that the production is in accordance with the specifications, purchase orders or letters of credit.

In-line inspection
This process is led at the beginning of the production line and is based on the customer's specifications and reference sample. The Inspection focus mainly on the quality of the components and materials used in the production process, but also includes a visual check on the quality of packing materials and accessories. The inspector will also monitor the assembly process and check the first production run. The In-Line inspection Check allows an early (and thus cost-saving) prevention of defective components as well as timely corrections if needed.


Inspection Level
The Inspection Level determines the relation between the size of the lot and the size of the sample inspected. The Quality Level can be chosen between I, II, or III.

ISO
ISO is the International Organization for Standardization, founded in 1946 to promote the development of international standards and related activities, including conformity assessment, to facilitate the exchange of goods and services worldwide. ISO is composed of member bodies from over 90 countries and covers all areas except those related to electrical and electronic engineering, which are covered by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The results of ISO's technical work are published as International Standards or Guides.

Loading Supervision
This is carried out in the manufacture's warehouse or at the forwarder's premises. The inspector first checks the quality and quantity of the goods to be shipped to make sure that the right products will be delivered.The inspector then monitors the entire loading phase to ensure that the container(s) is in good condition, and that the loading is performed under acceptable circumstances.


Lot size
The lot size is the total number of units available for random sampling. The lot size only includes packed products.

Major Defect
This AQL corresponds to a defect other than critical, that is likely to result in failure, or to reduce the usability of the unit of product for its intended purpose. A product has a major defect when it is not dangerous, but cannot be sold because of the defect.You can specify your own list of major defects to be inspected. Our default AQL is 2.5 for major defect.

MIL-STD 105E/ ABC-STD 105
Asian Quality Assurance inspectors use the MIL STD 105E tables as sampling method, which are recognized standards by every industrial company. This American standard now has equivalents in all national and international standardisation organisations. This standard is a proven method to accept or reject a production lot by inspecting a randomly selected number of products.

Minor Defect
This AQL corresponds to a defect that is not likely to reduce the usability of the unit of product for its intended purpose, or is a departure from established standards having little bearing on the effective use or operation of the unit. A minor defect is nevertheless a workmanship defect beyond the defined quality standard. You can specify your own list of minor defects to be inspected. Our default AQL is 6.5 for minor defects.


Rejection number
The rejection number is equal to the acceptance number + 1, and represents the limit of allowable defective units. If the total number of sampled products presenting this type of defect is equal or superior to the rejection number, the production has failed.

Sampling Level
The Sampling Level represents the global accuracy level of the Sampling Method. For a given lot size, increasing the Quality Level means increasing the Sample Size. This improves accuracy but also increases the time needed to complete the inspection. The Quality Level can be chosen between I, II, or III. The default Quality Level of Asian Quality Assurance is II.

Sampling method
Asian Quality Assurance inspectors use the MIL STD 105E tables as sampling method, which are recognized standards by every industrial company. This American standard now has equivalents in all national and international standardisation organisations. This standard is a proven method to accept or reject a production lot by inspecting a randomly selected number of products.

Sample size
The sample size is the total number of units to be inspected.

Sample size code letter
The sample size code letter is the link between the table A and the table B, in the AQL tables.

Special Inspection Level
The special inspection level is used instead of the general inspection level when the production has to be operationally inspected.The special inspection level can range between S1, S2, S3 or S4.