1  Scope

1.1  This part specifies an acceptance sampling system for inspection by attributes. It is indexed in terms of the acceptance quality limit (AQL).
Its purpose is to induce a supplier through the economic and psychological pressure of lot non-acceptance to maintain a process average at least as good as the specified acceptance quality limit, while at the same time providing an upper limit for the risk to the consumer of accepting the occasional poor lot.
Sampling schemes designated in this part are applicable, but not limited, to inspection of
--end items;
--components and raw materials;
--operations;
--materials in process;
--supplies in storage;
--maintenance operations;
--data or records;
--administrative procedures.
1.2  These schemes are intended primarily to be used for a continuing series of lots, that is, a series long enough to allow the switching rules (9.3) to be applied. These rules provide:
a)  a protection to the consumer (by means of a switch to tightened inspection or discontinuation of sampling inspection) should a deterioration in quality be detected;
b)  an incentive (at the discretion of the responsible authority) to reduce inspection costs (by means of a switch to reduced inspection) should consistently good quality be achieved.
Sampling plans in this part may also be used for the inspection of lots in isolation but, in this case the user is strongly advised to consult the operating characteristic curves to find a plan that will yield the desired protection (see 12.6). In that case, the user is also referred to the sampling plans indexed by limiting quality (LQ) given in GB/T 2828.2-2008.
2  Normative References

The following document is essential for the application of this Standard. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition (including any amendments) is applicable to this document.
GB/T 2828.2-2008 Sampling plans indexed by limiting quality (LQ) for isolated lot inspection [ISO 2859-2��1985��NEQ]
GB/T 2828.3-2008 Skip-lot sampling procedures [ISO 2859-3��2005��IDT]
GB/T 3358.1-2009 Terms for Statistics Part 1: Terms for General Statistics (IDT ISO 3534-1: 2006)
GB/T 3358.2-2009 Terms for Statistics Part 2: Terms for Statistical Quality Control (IDT ISO 3534-2: 2006)

3  Terms, Definitions and Symbols

3.1  Terms and definitions
Terms and definitions given in GB/T 3358.1-2009 and GB/T 3358.2-2009 and the following are applicable to this part.
3.1.1
Inspection
activity such as measuring, examining, testing or gauging one or more characteristics of a product or service, and comparing the results with specified requirements in order to establish whether conformity is achieved for each characteristic.
3.1.2
Original inspection
First inspection carried out for lots, in accordance with this part.
Note: original inspection must be distinguished from inspections for re-submitted lot after un-acceptance.
3.1.3
Inspection by attributes
Inspection carried out for one or a set of specified requirements or per unit product is divided into qualified or un-qualified, or uncomforting numbers of calculation unit products.
Note: inspection by attributes includes inspection of product qualification as well as inspection for nonconformities per 100 items.
3.1.4
Item
that which can be individually described and considered
For example:
--One physical item;
--A given amount of materials;
--A service, an activity or a process;
--an organization or a person;
--any assembly of the above-mentioned project;