Define Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) and its role in sampling.

Define Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) and its role in sampling.

• A. AQL is the minimum percent defective allowed in a batch that is accepted under a given sampling plan.
• B. AQL is the maximum percent defective allowed in a batch that is accepted under a given sampling plan.
• C. AQL is the average defect rate across lots.
• D. AQL is the probability of accepting a lot with zero defects.

Answer: (B)

Acceptable Quality Level is the maximum percentage of defects allowed in a batch for it to be accepted under a defined sampling plan. When you use acceptance sampling, you set a sample size and an acceptance number. If the number of defective items found in the sample is at or below that acceptance number, the lot is accepted; if it’s higher, the lot is rejected. The AQL is a target for what is considered tolerable in production, not a guaranteed defect rate for every batch, nor the average defect rate across lots, nor the probability of having zero defects. It helps determine how strict the sampling plan should be to balance risk between the supplier and the customer.

Acceptable Quality Level is the maximum percentage of defects allowed in a batch for it to be accepted under a defined sampling plan. When you use acceptance sampling, you set a sample size and an acceptance number. If the number of defective items found in the sample is at or below that acceptance number, the lot is accepted; if it’s higher, the lot is rejected. The AQL is a target for what is considered tolerable in production, not a guaranteed defect rate for every batch, nor the average defect rate across lots, nor the probability of having zero defects. It helps determine how strict the sampling plan should be to balance risk between the supplier and the customer.