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What Is AQL 1.5? (Direct Answer) AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) 1.5 is the international standard for medical-grade examination gloves. It means that in a production batch, no more than 1.5% of gloves are allowed to have pinhole defects (holes that would compromise the barrier between the wearer and contaminants). AQL 1.5 is defined in EN 455-1 and ASTM D3578 / D6319 and is the minimum requirement for gloves labeled as "medical-grade" or "examination grade." In simple terms: if a factory produces 10,000 gloves and tests a statistical sample, no more than 1.5% of the tested gloves can fail the water leak test. If more than 1.5% fail, the entire batch is rejected. Why AQL 1.5 Matters The AQL rating directly determines whether a glove can be used in medical settings where barrier protection against bloodborne pathogens is critical. Key implications:     • AQL 1.5 → Medical examination gloves, surgical gloves (minimum)     • AQL 2.5 → Industrial-grade gloves (some food-grade applications)     • AQL 4.0 → General-purpose / utility gloves (non-medical) How AQL Testing Works: The Water Leak Test AQL testing follows a standardized procedure defined in EN 455-1: 1. Sampling: A statistical sample is drawn from the production batch based on ISO 2859-1 sampling tables. 2. Water Leak Test: Each glove in the sample is filled with 1,000 mL of water, suspended, and observed for 2–5 minutes. 3. Inspection: Any visible water leakage = a failed glove (pinhole defect). 4. Decision: If the number of failed gloves exceeds the AQL 1.5 threshold for the sample size, the entire batch is rejected. Batch Size Sample Size Max Allowed Failures (AQL 1.5) 2,801 – 10,000 200 7 10,001 – 35,000 315 10 35,001 – 150,000 500 14 150,001 – 500,000 800 21   Source: ISO 2859-1 Sampling Tables, Normal Inspection Level II AQL 1.5 vs AQL 2.5 vs AQL 4.0 AQL Level Defect Rate Allowed Typical Use Standards AQL 0.65 ≤ 0.65% Surgical gloves EN 455-1 (surgical) AQL 1.5 ≤ 1.5% Medical examination gloves EN 455-1, ASTM D3578 AQL 2.5 ≤ 2.5% Industrial / food-grade gloves EN 374, ASTM D6319 AQL 4.0 ≤ 4.0% General utility gloves EN 420   Which Standards Require AQL 1.5? Standard Scope AQL Requirement EN 455-1 Medical gloves for single use AQL 1.5 (examination), AQL 0.65 (surgical) ASTM D3578 Latex examination gloves AQL 1.5 ASTM D6319 Nitrile examination gloves AQL 1.5 ASTM D5250 PVC examination gloves AQL 1.5 GSO 4872 GCC medical glove standard AQL 1.5 (aligned with EN 455)   Note: If a glove does not state its AQL on the packaging, it is likely an industrial-grade glove (AQL 2.5 or higher) and should NOT be used for medical applications. How to Verify AQL 1.5 as a Buyer 1. Request the Certificate of Analysis (COA) — This document should show AQL test results for each batch. 2. Check the packaging — Medical-grade gloves must display the AQL level and relevant standard (e.g., "AQL 1.5 per EN 455-1"). 3. Ask for third-party test reports — Reputable suppliers will provide SGS, TUV, or Intertek test reports verifying AQL compliance. 4. Conduct your own sampling — For large orders, consider independent pre-shipment inspection (PSI) with AQL testing. FAQ Q: What does AQL stand for? A: AQL stands for Acceptable Quality Level. It is a statistical sampling method defined in ISO 2859-1 that determines the maximum number of defective units allowed in a production batch before the entire batch is rejected. Q: Is AQL 1.5 good enough for medical gloves? A: Yes. AQL 1.5 is the international standard for medical examination gloves under EN 455-1 and ASTM standards. Surgical gloves require a stricter AQL 0.65. Any glove with AQL > 1.5 should not be used for medical purposes. Q: How can I tell if a glove is truly AQL 1.5? A: Check the glove box labeling — it should clearly state "AQL 1.5" and reference the applicable standard (EN 455-1 or ASTM D3578/D6319). Request the Certificate of Analysis (COA) and third-party test reports from the supplier. Q: Does AQL 1.5 apply to both nitrile and latex gloves? A: Yes. AQL 1.5 applies to all examination glove materials — nitrile (ASTM D6319), latex (ASTM D3578), and PVC/vinyl (ASTM D5250). The AQL requirement is material-independent; what matters is the intended use (medical vs. non-medical). Contact us at www.jxgloves.com for samples and documentation. About Fujian Jixiang E-commerce Co., Ltd. With over 20 years of experience, we specialize in manufacturing high-quality disposable gloves. Why Choose Us? ·        ✅ Factory-direct pricing ·        ✅ ISO/CE/FDA certified products ·        ✅ OEM/ODM customization ·        ✅ Global shipping to 50+ countries