This part of ISO/TR 8550 gives general guidance on the selection of an acceptance sampling system, scheme
or plan. It does this principally in the context of standards that either already exist or are presently under
development. (For more detailed information about specific acceptance sampling systems, see
ISO/TR 8550-2 for sampling by attributes or ISO/TR 8550-3 for sampling by variables.)
The guidance in this part of ISO/TR 8550 is confined to acceptance sampling of products that are supplied in
lots and that can be classified as consisting of discrete items (i.e. discrete articles of product). It is assumed
that each item in a lot can be identified and segregated from the other items in the lot and has an equal
chance of being included in the sample. Each item of product is countable and has specific characteristics that
are measurable or classifiable as being conforming or nonconforming (to a given product specification).
Standards on acceptance sampling are typically generic, as a result of which they can be applied to a wide
variety of inspection situations. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
a) end items, such as complete products or sub-assemblies;
b) components and raw materials;
c) services;
d) materials in process;
e) supplies in storage;
f) maintenance operations;
g) data or records;
h) administrative procedures.
Although this part of ISO/TR 8550 is written principally in terms of manufacture and production, this should be
interpreted liberally, as it is applicable to the selection of sampling systems, schemes and plans for all types of
products and processes as defined in ISO 9000.