# 252 - Acceptance Sampling Fundamentals: AQL, Attributes vs Variables, and Risk (OC Curves)

- Show: [Let's Combinate](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate)
- Published: 2026-08-31
- Length: 13m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2026-08-31-252-acceptance-sampling-fundamentals-aql-attributes-vs-variables-and-risk-oc-cur
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letscombinate/episodes/252---Acceptance-Sampling-Fundamentals-AQL--Attributes-vs-Variables--and-Risk-OC-Curves-e3o44b6

## Summary

Subhi Saadeh, founder of Let's Combinate, explains the fundamentals of acceptance sampling, clarifying that it is a probability-based tool rather than a guarantee of quality. He distinguishes between attribute sampling (counting defects) and variable sampling (measuring characteristics), referencing standards like ISO 2859-1 and ISO 3951. Saadeh details how Acceptance Quality Limit (AQL) indexes sampling plans and introduces Operating Characteristic (OC) curves to visualize producer and consumer risk. The episode concludes that selecting a sampling plan is a judgment call to balance the risk of rejecting good batches against accepting bad ones.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2026-08-31-252-acceptance-sampling-fundamentals-aql-attributes-vs-variables-and-risk-oc-cur#t=0) Introduction: Subhi Saadeh and Let's Combinate

## Topics

- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- ISO 2859-1 (other)
- ANSI-ASQ Z1.4 (other)
- ISO 3951 (other)
- ANSI-ASQ Z1.9 (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep. 11 - Quality Control](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-12-21-ep-11-quality-control) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)

## Citing this page

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