Acceptable Quality Limit
Updated 2026-08-08
INTRODUCTION
English translation pending.
CORE DEFINITION
The acceptable quality limit is the worst process average that, for the purpose of acceptance sampling, is still considered satisfactory. It is a property of the sampling plan and the supplier's process rather than a target defect rate. Because inspection is never free, the standard accepts that chasing perfection costs more than the defects it removes; AQL sets a boundary both buyer and seller can live with. Note that AQL is a ceiling on what is tolerated, not the level a producer is expected to achieve.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
- Set by risk: choose the AQL according to how serious a defect would be. - Pick the plan: select sample size and acceptance number to match that limit. - Adjust dynamically: tighten the limit after failures and relax it after consistent passes.
Anchor fast decisions
Acceptance sampling replaces full inspection with a rule: draw a sample, count defects, and accept or reject the lot. The AQL fixes the process average at which that rule is calibrated, so it simultaneously determines the producer's risk of having a good lot rejected and the consumer's risk of accepting a bad one. Tightening the limit lowers the chance of shipping defects but raises rejection costs, which is why the choice is an economic trade-off. Switching rules then tighten or relax the plan according to the supplier's recent record.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/1Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acceptable_quality_limitverified
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