Standard Practice for Sampling a Stream of Product by Attributes Indexed by AQL

4.1 Purpose—This publication establishes lot or batch sampling plans and procedures for inspection by attributes. This publication shall not be interpreted to supersede or conflict with any contractual requirements. The words “accept,” “acceptance,” “acceptable,” etc, refer only to the contractor’s use of the sampling plans contained in this standard and do not imply an agreement by the customer (formerly “Government” in original text) to accept any product. Determination of acceptability by the customer shall be as described in contractual documents. The sampling plans described in this standard are applicable to AQL’s of 0.01 percent or higher and are therefore not suitable for applications where quality levels in the range of parts per million levels can be realized.

4.2 Application—Sampling plans designated in this publication are applicable, but not limited, to inspection of the following: (1) end items, (2) components and raw materials, (3) operations or services, (4) materials in process, (5) supplies in storage, (6) maintenance operations, (7) data or records, (8) administrative procedures. These plans are intended primarily to be used for a continuing series of lots or batches. The plans may also be used for the inspection of isolated lots or batches, but, in this latter case, the user is cautioned to consult the operating characteristic curves to find a plan which will yield the desired protection (see 6.11).