Overview
ISO 28590:2017 - "Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes - Introduction to the ISO 2859 series" is a concise, general introduction to acceptance sampling by attributes and the ISO 2859 family of standards. It summarizes the attribute sampling schemes and planning approaches used in ISO 2859‑1 through ISO 2859‑5 and gives guidance on selecting an appropriate inspection system for a given situation. ISO 28590:2017 replaces the earlier ISO 2859‑10 reference and serves as the gateway document to the ISO 2859 series.
Key topics
- Acceptance sampling by attributes: fundamental aims and limits of attribute-based acceptance inspection (defects/nonconforming items).
- Quality metrics: use of AQL (Acceptance Quality Limit) and LQ (Limiting Quality); quality measures can be percent nonconforming or number of nonconformities per 100 items.
- Sampling systems overview:
- Lot‑by‑lot sampling indexed by AQL (ISO 2859‑1) - including normal/reduced/tightened inspection and switching rules.
- Isolated lot sampling indexed by LQ (ISO 2859‑2).
- Skip‑lot sampling for consistently superior quality (ISO 2859‑3).
- Procedures for assessing declared quality levels (audits/reviews) (ISO 2859‑4).
- Sequential sampling plans indexed by AQL with comparable discriminatory power (ISO 2859‑5).
- Selection guidance: factors to consider when choosing among sampling plans (continuing series vs isolated lots, required protection levels, cost and inspection resources).
- Scope and limitations: emphasizes that ISO 28590 is introductory and that full details are in the specific ISO 2859 parts.
Applications
ISO 28590:2017 and the ISO 2859 series are applicable to:
- Incoming inspection and lot acceptance for suppliers and purchasers
- Quality control of production lots, components, raw materials and assemblies
- Audit and review sampling when verifying declared quality levels
- Process monitoring where attribute inspection (defective vs acceptable) is used
- Situations requiring a balance between inspection cost and consumer/producer risk
Practical benefits include standardized sampling procedures, clearer allocation of responsibility for quality to producers, and consistent criteria for acceptance sampling decisions.
Who should use this standard
- Quality managers and engineers
- Procurement and supplier assurance teams
- Auditors and regulatory inspectors
- Statisticians and process control practitioners implementing attribute sampling plans
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 28590:2017, sampling procedures, acceptance sampling, attribute sampling, AQL, LQ, ISO 2859 series, inspection by attributes, sampling plans.
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