Acceptable Quality Level (AQL)

The Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) is a measure to assess the statistical quality control of products such as medical protective gloves. The lower the AQL, the lower the share of defective goods.

In terms of tightness for medical protective gloves, EN 455-1 requires an AQL of at least 1.5. A defined test quantity of a production batch is tested for tightness. In a random sample of 200 gloves a maximum of 7 gloves may be deficient. This is determined by a leak test: the gloves are filled with 1 000 ml of water and then observed for two to three minutes. The test is considered passed when no water leaks from the glove, i.e. it has not holes.