2.5 AQL - Tightened Inspection

Lot Size Sample Size Acc Rej Criteria for Continuing Inspection
1 - 8 All * * N/A
91 - 150 8 0 2 If 1 defective found, go to S/S of 20**
(Cumulative S/S) 20 1 2 If 1 defective found, go to S/S of 20**
151 - 280 20 0 2 If 1 defective found, go to S/S of 32
(Cumulative S/S) 32 1 2 If 1 defective found, go to S/S of 32
281 - 500 20 1 3 If 2 defectives found, go to S/S of 50
(Cumulative S/S) 50 2 3 If 2 defectives found, go to S/S of 50
501 - 1200 32 1 4 If 2 - 3 defectives found, go to S/S of 80
(Cumulative S/S) 80 3 4 If 2 - 3 defectives found, go to S/S of 80
1201 - 3200 50 2 6 If 3 - 5 defectives found, go to S/S of 125
(Cumulative S/S) 125 5 6 If 3 - 5 defectives found, go to S/S of 125
3201 - 10,000 80 3 9 If 4 - 8 defectives found, go to S/S of 200
(Cumulative S/S) 200 8 9 If 4 - 8 defectives found, go to S/S of 200
10,001 - 35,000 125 5 13 If 6 - 12 defectives found. go to S/S of 315
(Cumulative S/S) 315 12 13 If 6 - 12 defectives found. go to S/S of 315
Over 35,000 200 8 19 If 9 - 18 defectives found. go to S/S of 500
(Cumulative S/S) 500 18 19 If 9 - 18 defectives found. go to S/S of 500

An AQL means that as long as a supplier maintains his / her process average (% defective) at the assigned AQL or lower, there is a very high probability that shipments from that supplier (inspected using the Exchange sampling plans) will be accepted. Conversely, there is a very high probability that shipments (inspected using the Exchange sampling plans) will be rejected if a supplier's process average (% defective) remains higher than the assigned AQL.

*Reject only defectives found.

**If lot size is 20 units or less, inspect all and reject only defectives found.

Note: Tightened sampling plans are used by AAFES for reinspection of a previously failed lot and when a supplier's quality history indicates a higher than normal risk of sub-standard quality being shipped. We recommend suppliers always use the tightened sampling plans.

Acceptance Quality Levels (AQLs)

All Hardlines Merchandise

Jewelry, Shoes, Clothing, Softside Luggage and any Cut & Sewn Item

Extra Value, Budget, or Entry Price Point Type of Merchandise

An AQL means that as long as a supplier maintains his / her process average (% defective) at the assigned AQL or lower, there is a very high probability that shipments from that supplier (inspected using the Exchange sampling plans) will be accepted. Conversely, there is a very high probability that shipments (inspected using the Exchange sampling plans) will be rejected if a supplier's process average (% defective) remains higher than the assigned AQL.

Here is how the random sampling works:

Let us say that the shipment or lot size is 2,000 items or pieces. Then:

  1. Take a sample of 50 pieces at random from this shipment.
  2. Inspect all 50 pieces.
  3. If 2 or less defective pieces are found, accept the shipment.
  4. If 8 or more defective pieces are found, reject the shipment.
  5. If 3 to 7 defective pieces are found, then take additional 75 samples at random.
  6. Inspect all 75 samples.
  7. If a total of 7 or less defective pieces are found, accept the shipment.
  8. If a total of 8 or more defective pieces are found, reject the shipment.

Back to top