What is the Relationship Between
Specifications and Standards?
There has been some confusion about the
differences between specifications and stan-
dards as they apply to insect rearing. They
are closely related terms and both can be
measures of quality. However, specification
is defined as: ‘The document that prescribes
the requirements with which the product or
service has to conform’ (ANSI/ASQC,
1987). Standard equals grade, ‘An indicator
of category or rank related to features or
characteristics that cover different sets of
Total Quality Control for Biocontrol Agents 21
Fig. 2.2.Total quality-control system emphasizing the control functions (boxes) within generic subdivisions of
the production system for natural enemies. The feedback loop provides a means of optimizing the production
and use of the natural enemies.
Fig. 2.1.Production system for natural enemies composed of generic subdivisions and associated functions.
Management
Methods Development Production Utilization Quality Control
Material Research Personnel
Policy
Planning
Administration
Design Control
Facilities
Equipment
Operations
Production Control
Treatment
Handling
Distribution
Utilization Control
Process Control
Product Control
Information
Evaluation
Strain Development
Process Capability
Pilot Testing
Methods Control
Purchasing
Specifications
Standards
Responsibility
Verification
Storage
Material Control
Colonization
Production
Utilization
Quality Control
Selection
Training
Motivation
Health and Safety
Design
Control
Production
Control
Process
Control
Product
Control
Utilization
Control
Production Quality Control Utilization
Treatment
Distribution
Information
Evaluation
Research/Methods
Development
Material/Personnel
Management