This quality focused Standard establishes in-process and final inspection requirements for fastener products as well as a receiving inspection plan for fastener purchasers. This Standard identifies four categories, recognizing that fastener users have widely varying requirements. The four categories covered are as follows:

(a) Category 1 – A receiving inspection plan for purchasers
(b) Categories 2 and 3 – Utilizes documented and verifiable in-process controls structured at the producer’s discretion
(c) Category 4 – Includes all of the requirements of Category 2 plus 100% inspection for a specific feature or features

In the preparation of this Standard, it was recognized that its function must enable it to be a part of the various regimens in use today that attain certain quality levels of products. This Standard was written to encompass frameworks that enable the users of this Standard to pinpoint which category they wish to use in meeting their own objectives.