What’s New

All products are 100% inspected as they leave our factories. To ensure that our customers receive the very best quality we use Acceptable Quality Limits (AQL).

What is AQL?

Acceptable Quality Limit sampling is a method widely used to define a production order sample to determine if the entire product order has met our specifications. Based on the sampling data, AQL standard can help us make an informed decision to accept or reject the lot.

At our warehouse in Kentucky, U.S.A. Joanna Goostree and her team follow these AQL principles, which are the same throughout the world at all our warehouses.

Since it is not practical and almost impossible to conduct a 100% inspection after it leaves our factories, we have implemented an AQL inspection process.

AQL sampling is done by using statistical calculations. It produces clear results of defects and non-defects. It gives the defects found in the sample size from the total unit of goods shipped. Inspection results of when the defect limitation statistically exceeds the AQL set limitations. With these results it becomes easy to decide whether to reject or except the entire lot based on the sample inspected. Or to make a business decision to inspect more, possibly even 100%. At the point of detection many other processes are put into place.

• Determination of the current risk of the quality issue is analyzed and understood if it is contained.
• Appropriate Department/Team(s) are notified as necessary for support and possible actions.
• The factory is immediately notified of the defect and an investigation is started through an 8D corrective action.
• The rejected goods at the warehouse are marked properly and quarantined.
• If the AQL does not find anything negative or any rejections, during the inspection process all goods are moved into the warehouse and released from Quality Inspection as ready to be sold.

Below is an example of a typical AQL Lot/Sample size chart. Any major defects and the entire lot is rejected. Any minor rejection and the appropriate team members are contacted to discuss exactly what the defect is.