How an AQL-based inspection decision flows, per ISO 2859-1.
The international standard behind AQL-based sampling — the same framework our Index methodology draws on — has been revised for 2026. The new edition introduces skip-lot sampling, allowing consistently high-performing suppliers to move to reduced inspection frequency without lowering the bar on defect tolerance.
In practice, that means a factory with a strong, sustained track record of passing inspection can qualify for lighter sampling on future shipments, while any lot that falls outside the agreed Acceptable Quality Limit resets that clock. The standard still requires the same underlying discipline — correct sample size for lot size, and a hard line on primary vs. secondary defects — it simply rewards consistency with less friction.
For buyers, the practical implication is worth flagging to your own QA team: a supplier's inspection frequency should be tied to their actual performance record, not applied uniformly. Suppliers who've earned reduced-frequency status are a signal of reliability worth factoring into vendor scorecards, not a reason to stop checking altogether.
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