Quality inspection glossary
Plain-English definitions of the terms used in product inspection, quality control and importing from India: sampling and AQL, inspection types, defect classes, documents, certificates and the verdict that ends every Clear To Load report. Each term links to the guides and regulations where it matters.
All terms
Abrash
Abrash is a visible change of shade across a hand-made rug, where the weaver started a new batch of dyed yarn.
Acceptance and rejection numbers (Ac / Re)
The acceptance number (Ac) is the most defects of one class a sample may contain while the lot still passes.
AQL (Acceptance Quality Limit)
AQL (Acceptance Quality Limit) is the worst process average a buyer will tolerate, in percent defective or defects per 100 units, over a series of lots.
Carton drop test
A carton drop test drops a fully packed export carton onto a hard floor on a corner, edges and faces from a set height, then opens it to see whether the product and packing survived.
Cleared to load
The verdict that ends every Clear To Load report, and how it maps to pass, pending and fail.
Colour fastness
Colour fastness is how well a dyed or printed material keeps its colour, and avoids staining other materials, when it is washed, rubbed, exposed to light, sweat or water.
Container loading supervision (CLS)
Container loading supervision (CLS), also called a loading check, is an inspector's presence while an export container is stuffed.
Corrective action plan (CAP)
A corrective action plan (CAP) is the supplier's written response to problems found in an inspection or audit.
Country-of-origin marking
Country-of-origin marking is the “Made in India” (or “India”) mark on goods or their packaging that tells the final buyer where they were made.
Critical defect
A critical defect is a fault that could injure the user or breaks a mandatory safety or legal rule for the destination market.
Defect rate
A defect rate is how often faults occur in a batch, and it is measured two ways.
During-production inspection (DUPRO)
A during-production inspection (DUPRO) checks an order while it is being made, typically when 20–60% is complete.
EN 10204 3.1 certificate
An EN 10204 3.1 certificate is an inspection document for metal products that reports test results on the actual products supplied, or their test units, and is validated by the manufacturer's authorised inspection representative, who must be independent of the manufacturing department.
Factory audit
A factory audit is an on-site assessment of a supplier rather than of a product.
First article inspection (FAI)
First article inspection (FAI) is a complete, documented check of the first parts made with production tooling and processes.
Four-point system (fabric inspection)
The four-point system is a method for grading woven and knitted fabric, set out as an option in ASTM D5430.
Fumigation
Fumigation is treating goods, packaging or a sealed container with a toxic gas, such as methyl bromide or sulphuryl fluoride, to kill insects and other pests before export.
Geographical indication (GI)
A geographical indication (GI) is a registered name for goods whose quality or reputation comes from a particular place, such as Moradabad Metal Craft or Makrana Marble.
Golden sample
A golden sample is the unit a buyer has approved as the standard for an order, signed or sealed so it cannot be swapped, and kept at the factory or with the inspector.
GSM (grams per square metre)
GSM means grams per square metre: the mass of one square metre of fabric, towel, rug backing or paper.
Hydrostatic test
A hydrostatic test (hydro test) fills a pressure part, such as a valve body, pipe, pump casing or vessel, with water and raises it to a set pressure above its working pressure for a set time.
Initial production check (IPC)
An initial production check (IPC) is an inspection made just after mass production starts, once the first finished units exist.
Inspection level
An inspection level sets how large the sample is for a given lot size under ISO 2859-1.
ISPM 15 mark
The ISPM 15 mark is the stamp on treated wood packaging, such as pallets, crates and dunnage, showing it meets the international standard against pests.
Kiln drying
Kiln drying is drying sawn timber in a closed chamber where temperature, humidity and airflow are controlled to a schedule until the wood reaches a target moisture content.
Knock-down (KD) furniture
Knock-down (KD) furniture, also called flat-pack, ships in parts that the customer joins at home with bolts, cam fittings, dowels or screws.
KPSI (knots per square inch)
KPSI means knots per square inch: the number of hand-tied knots in one square inch of a hand-knotted rug.
Lab test report
A lab test report is the document a testing laboratory issues with the results of tests on the samples it received, such as lead content, colour fastness, formaldehyde emission or tensile strength.
Major defect
A major defect is a fault that is likely to make the product fail, shorten its life or lead a customer to return it or complain, without being a safety risk.
Man-day
A man-day is one inspector working on site at one factory for one working day, including the report.
Minor defect
A minor defect is a departure from the specification or approved sample that is unlikely to affect how the product works or whether a customer keeps it.
Moisture content
Moisture content (MC) is the weight of water in a piece of wood expressed as a percentage of the wood's oven-dry weight.
Non-destructive testing (NDT)
Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a group of methods that look for flaws such as cracks, porosity, inclusions and lack of fusion in a part without damaging it.
One District One Product (ODOP)
One District One Product (ODOP) names a signature product for each district and supports its makers.
Packing list check
A packing list check compares the supplier's packing list with the purchase order and with the cartons actually packed: number of cartons, quantity and assortment in each, net and gross weights, dimensions and total volume.
Positive material identification (PMI)
Positive material identification (PMI) is a quick, usually non-destructive check of the alloy in a metal part, using a handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) or optical emission spectrometry (OES) analyser.
Pre-shipment inspection (PSI)
A pre-shipment inspection (PSI) is a check of finished goods after production ends and before they leave the factory, also called a final random inspection.
Reinspection
A reinspection is a second inspection of the same lot after the factory has reworked, repaired or replaced goods that failed or were put on hold.
Sample size code letter
A sample size code letter is the letter, from A to R, that ISO 2859-1 Table I gives for a lot size and inspection level.
Shade band
A shade band is a set of swatches cut from each dye lot, or each wash, of a production run and mounted side by side for the buyer's approval.
Shipping marks
Shipping marks are the identification printed or labelled on each export carton so it can be matched to the order and documents and handled correctly.
Tip-over test
A tip-over test checks whether a storage unit, such as a chest of drawers, wardrobe or TV unit, stays upright when drawers or doors are open and a load is applied, as when a child pulls on or climbs it.
Town of Export Excellence (TEE)
A Town of Export Excellence (TEE) is an Indian town recognised under the Foreign Trade Policy for exporting one named product group, such as Jodhpur for handicrafts or Morbi for ceramic tiles and sanitaryware.
Witness inspection
A witness inspection is a visit where the buyer's inspector watches the factory, or a third-party lab, carry out agreed tests, such as pressure, performance, load or NDT tests, on parts the inspector selects.
See also the guides and regulation guides.
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