A Problem Called ISO 2859-1 Sampling Procedures for Inspection by Attributes - Part 1

Abstract Controlling uncertainty has an ever-increasing importance in all areas of industry. To meet the demand, the International Organisation of Standardization (ISO) developed and develops “statistical” standards. However, while success and failure of technical standards can be assessed rather easily, this is different with statistical methods because of randomness. Moreover, rationale and purpose of statistical methods are often vague. This paper analyzes one of the most frequently applied statistical standards namely ISO 2859-1 (1999). The aim of this investigation is to compare the purpose of ISO 2859-1 with industrial needs, to evaluate clearness and comprehensibility of its presentation, to check whether it represents the state of the art and a framework for future technological development. It turns out that the purpose of ISO 2859-1 is obsolete, that the formulation is ambiguous, that it does not represent the state of the art and finally that it hinders necessary future technological development in the field.