What is AQL

The most commonly used standard for product inspections is standard ISO 2859-1 (ANSI/ASQC Z1.4-2003). It uses the concept of AQL, or Acceptable Quality Limit. The standard definition of the AQL is “the maximum defective percent (or the maximum number of defects per hundred units) that, for purpose of sampling inspection, can be considered satisfactory as a process average”.

A sampling size, based on the AQL tables, will be selected and then inspected for defects.

Defects are broken into 3 categories: Minor, Major and Critical. While these can vary from client to client, the typical definitions are as follow:

• A Minor defect is a discrepancy from the standards, but one that is not likely to affect the usability of an object.
• A Major defect is one that is likely to create failure of the unit for its intended purpose.
• A Critical defect is one that is deemed to be hazardous or unsafe.

According to the number of defects found for each type and according to the number of defects allowed (figures given by the AQL tables), your QC can advise you to accept or to reject your shipment.

How to use the AQL Tables?

The AQL tables will help to determine the sampling size we will need to inspect according to your ordered quantity and your level of severity. You can choose Levels I, II or III, with Level III being the most stringent testing and Level I being the least. The standard level, the one used by default and by 98% of the people is the Level II. This is up to the client, but it is the recommended level.

In order to find the necessary sampling size to be inspected, you must first look at the first chart and find on the left side the range of items being produced in total. For example, if you are producing 8000 items, at Level II you have the letter L, which in the second table corresponds to a sample size of 200.

On the top of the second chart are the defect levels, ranging from 0 to 6.5 (we cut the higher values out of the chart, because they are not relevant for buyers of consumer goods).

You can choose which level to apply for your type of defect: critical, major and minor. Usually most importers will choose standard defect levels which are 0/2.5/4.0 but one can choose 0/1.5/2.5 if he wishes.

Using the standard 0/2.5/4 defect levels and a sample size of 200, we see that if you have more than 0 critical defects, 10 major defects or 14 minor defects, you should reject your shipment.

Of course the decision about what to do after your received the inspection results belongs to you. Most importers will wish to discuss all inspection findings with their vendor/manufacturer in order to improve whatever possible. In case the inspection results are very close to AQL limits, it is important that you double check if the level of found defects is acceptable to you or not.

http://www.asiaqualityfocus.com

Quote:  Quality of a product is not what the supplier puts in. It is what the customer gets out and willing to pay for - Peter Drucker

Clothing brands adopt voluntary ban on sandblasting

International clothing brands and retailers including C&A, Carrefour, Esprit, H&M,  Inditex  and Levi Strauss have collectively imposed a voluntary ban on sandblasting in their global supply chains — and are calling on other companies to join them.

Their action was agreed earlier this week at a meeting hosted by the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation (ITGLWF), the global union representing workers in the industry.

Firms who have signed the voluntary ban have agreed to end the practice of sandblasting throughout their supply chains, including the use of aluminium oxide, aluminium silicate, silicon carbide, copper slag and garnet for abrasive blasting.

They have also pledged to work with their suppliers  to make the transition to alternative methods, and say they will take the necessary steps to ensure the ban is effectively applied.   

Apparel sandblasting involves projecting fine sand with compressed air to create a worn look on denim and other garments. Sandblasting can be extremely damaging to the health of workers if proper safeguards are not followed, and can lead to a disabling and potentially fatal lung disease called silicosis.  

Soon after the impact of sandblasting on workers’ health came under scrutiny in Turkey last July, Levi Strauss & Co and Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M) became the first to implement a global ban on the process.

They have since been followed by a number of other leading brands and retailers — such as Bestseller, C&A, Carrefour, and Esprit — who have also said they would eliminate sandblasting in their supply chains.

ITGLWF general secretary Patrick Itschert says that in the absence of effective government regulation a total industry-wide ban is the only way forward.

http://www.mrketplace.com/15815/clothing-brands-adopt-voluntary-ban-on-sandblasting/

Quote:  success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm - Sir Winston Churchill