This part of ISO 2859 specifies sequential sampling schemes that supplement the ISO 2859-1 acceptance sampling system for inspection by attributes.
The ISO 2859-1 acceptance sampling system is indexed in terms of the acceptance quality limit (AQL). Its purpose is to induce a supplier, through the economic and psychological pressure of lot non-acceptance, to maintain a process average at least as good as the specified acceptance quality limit, while at the same time providing an upper limit for the risk to the consumer of accepting the occasional poor lot.
The sampling schemes defined in this part of ISO 2859 are applicable, but not limited, to the inspection of:
- end items,
- components and raw materials,
- operations,
- materials in process,
- supplies in storage,
- maintenance operations,
- data or records, and
- administrative procedures.
These schemes are designed to be applied to a continuing series of lots, that is, a series long enough to permit the switching rules in 10.3 to be applied. These switching rules provide
- enhanced protection to the consumer (by means of tightened sampling inspection criteria or
discontinuation of sampling inspection) should deterioration in quality occur,
- an incentive, at the discretion of the responsible authority, to reduce inspection costs (by means ofreduced sampling inspection criteria) should consistently good quality be demonstrated over time.
The individual sampling plans are not designed to be used outside of the schemes in which they are presented. Where lots are produced in isolation or in a series too short for this part of ISO 2859 to apply, the user is advised to consult ISO 2859-2 for appropriate sampling plans.
