What Is Acceptable Quality Level (AQL)? The acceptable quality level (AQL) is a measure applied to products inspection. It indicates the maximum acceptable defects for a certain sample size of products inspected, beyond which a batch is rejected. It is usually expressed as a percentage or ratio of the number of defects compared to the total quantity. Importers usually set different AQLs for critical, major, and minor defects. KEY TAKEAWAYS The acceptable quality level (AQL) is the worst quality level that is tolerable for a product. The AQL differs from product to product. Products that might cause more of a health risk will have a lower AQL. How Do I Determine the Right Sample Size and Acceptance Number? Buyers and sellers should agree on an AQL standard that is appropriate to the level of risk each party assumes. These standards are used as a reference during a pre-shipment inspection. And widely used settings for consumer goods in China: 0% for critical defects (totally unacce...