Acceptable Quality Levels

AQL Chart

Single Sampling Plans for Normal Inspection

Apparel Search 2008 :  ApparelSearch.com

AQL's in Percent Nonconforming Items and Nonconformities per 100 items (normal inspection)

Sample Size Code Letter

Sample Size (number of samples)

4.0 AQL

Acceptable

Rejected

A

2

B

3

0

1

C

5

D

8

E

13

1

2

F

20

2

3

G

32

3

4

H

50

5

6

J

80

7

8

K

125

10

11

L

200

14

15

M

315

21

22

N

500

P

800

Q

1250

R

2000

This up arrow means, use the first sampling plan BELOW the arrow.  If sample size equals, or exceeds, lot size, carry out 100% inspection.

This down arrow means, use the first sampling plan ABOVE the arrow.

Sample Size Code Letters

Special Inspection Levels

General Inspection Levels

Lot or Batch Size

S-1

S-2

S-3

S-4

I

II

III

2 to 8

A

A

A

A

A

A

B

9 to 15

A

A

A

A

A

B

C

16 to 25

A

A

B

B

B

C

D

26 to 50

A

B

B

C

C

D

E

51 to 90

B

B

C

C

C

E

F

91 to 150

B

B

C

D

D

F

G

151 to 280

B

C

D

E

E

G

H

281 to 500

B

C

D

E

F

H

J

501 to 1,200

C

C

E

F

G

J

K

1,201 to 3,200

C

D

E

G

H

K

L

3,201 to 10,000

C

D

F

G

J

L

M

10,001 to 35,000

C

D

F

H

K

M

N

35,001 to 150,000

D

E

G

J

L

N

P

150,001 to 500,000

D

E

G

J

M

P

Q

500,001 and over

D

E

H

K

N

Q

R

Example:
If an order is 10,500 units. When using General Inspection Level II, the factory learns from the second chart that this quantity order equates to "M".  The factory then goes to the first chart and sees that for "M" they should inspect 315 garments.  If they want a 4.0 AQL they can have 21 defective units or less from the 315 that they inspect.  If they have 22 defective units or more they are rejected.
The defects are based on defective units (defective garment).  It is not based on each actual defect on the garment.  For example, a shirt may have 3 different defects on the shirt, but this is only registered as "one" defective garment.

For your reference, we typically use General Inspection Level II

Note:  Please use this chart and method illustrated at your own risk.  Industry standards may have changed.  This is simply a guide that you may wish to follow.  If you are doing inspections for a specific company, we suggest you contact them for the exact requirements.