Acceptable Quality Limit (AQL)

What is Acceptable Quality Limit (AQL)?

Acceptable Quality Limit (AQL) is the worst average defect rate you agree to tolerate in a shipment, written into your specification before production starts. Inspectors pull a random sample sized to your order quantity, count major and minor defects separately, and pass or fail the lot against your AQL numbers — commonly 2.5 for major defects and 4.0 for minor ones in consumer goods. Agreeing the AQL in writing, before the balance payment, is what turns 'the quality looks off' into a decision the factory cannot argue with.