GOST 18321-73 PDF

Full title and description

GOST 18321-73 — "Statistical quality control. Methods of random sampling of unit products" (ГОСТ 18321-73, Статистический контроль качества. Методы случайного отбора выборок штучной продукции). The standard defines rules and procedures for selecting representative random samples from lots of unit (piece) products for acceptance inspection, statistical analysis and process regulation.

Abstract

This interstate (GOST) standard establishes methods for presenting batches and for random selection of units from lots of piece-produced goods (bulk, boxes, stacks, conveyor output). It specifies numbering and indexing approaches, use of random-number tables or systematic starts, recommended sampling procedures (simple random, systematic and practical selection methods), illustrative examples and normative figures. The document includes one or more amendments (notably Amendment No.1, 1980) and short explanatory applications showing typical selection schemes.

General information

• Status: Adopted as a GOST (interstate) standard in the USSR; later amended. Historical/registry entries indicate the standard may be superseded or listed as not applied in some modern legal catalogs — consult the national standards body for current mandatory status.
• Publication date: Registered/introduced 09 January 1973 (with editorial amendment recorded 31 December 1980).
• Publisher: State Committee for Standards (Gosstandart) / interstate GOST system (USSR origin).
• ICS / categories: 03.120.30 (Quality. Statistical methods in quality control).
• Edition / version: Original edition 1973; includes Amendment No.1 (1980). Single short-form edition, often reproduced in collections of GOSTs.
• Number of pages: Approximately 8 pages (concise technical standard with figures and examples).

Scope

Applies to the selection of representative samples for statistical acceptance control, process control and statistical analysis of unit (piece) products of industrial and consumer goods. Covers practical arrangements for lot presentation (loose goods, packed in boxes, stacked pallets, or flowing on conveyors) and prescribes methods to obtain unbiased, representative samples using random-number tables or systematic selection with a random start.

Key topics and requirements

• Terminology and definitions related to unit-product sampling and lot presentation.
• Rules for representing a lot (bulk, boxes, stacks, conveyor batches) so sampling is representative.
• Methods of random selection: simple random selection, systematic selection with a random start, blind selection from boxes/containers and stack numbering schemes.
• Use of random-number tables or other random-start devices (references to applicable random-number tables used in the standards system).
• Practical procedures for sampling from multi-layer stacks, multi-box consignments and conveyor outputs.
• Worked examples demonstrating sample-size selection (percent-based examples), indexing and calculation of selected unit numbers.
• Illustrative figures showing numbering, stacking and selection patterns; administrative notes on excluded or revised appendices (historical amendments).

Typical use and users

Used by quality engineers, production inspectors, acceptance inspectors, statisticians working in manufacturing and inspection laboratories, certification bodies and auditors who perform acceptance or in-process inspections of piece-produced items. Also referenced by regulators and standards bodies when specifying sampling procedures for contracts and technical regulations.

Related standards

Associated and cross-referenced documents commonly cited alongside this standard include: national/interstate random-number tables and related sampling documents of the former CMEA/GOST system, e.g. tables of random numbers used in sampling procedures; GOST and ST СЭВ documents that govern numbering and sampling formats. In international practice, ISO standards on sampling by attributes and variables (for example ISO 2859 series and ISO 3951 series) are conceptually related.

Keywords

statistical quality control; sampling; random sampling; systematic sampling; lot presentation; unit products; acceptance sampling; random-number tables; stack numbering; GOST 18321-73.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: GOST 18321-73 is an interstate standard originating in the USSR that defines methods for randomly selecting samples of unit (piece) products for statistical quality control and acceptance inspection.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers rules for presenting lots (bulk, boxes, stacks, conveyors), numbering and indexing schemes, procedures for simple random and systematic sampling (with a random start), use of random-number tables and worked examples showing how to form representative samples.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Quality assurance and control engineers, production inspectors, statisticians, certification and testing laboratories, procurement and compliance personnel performing acceptance sampling or planning inspection procedures.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document was adopted in 1973 and amended in 1980. Some modern registries indicate it has been superseded, replaced or is listed as not applied within current national catalogs; others retain it as a reference. For current legal or normative status, consult the national standards body or the up-to-date standards catalogue of the relevant country.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the GOST family of standards covering statistical quality control and sampling methods and is referenced alongside other GOST/ST СЭВ sampling and measurement documents. Conceptually it belongs with international sampling standards (ISO series) though it is a national/interstate normative act.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Sampling, random sampling, systematic sampling, acceptance sampling, statistical quality control, lot presentation, unit products, random-number table.