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 ofTotal Quality Control for Biocontrol Agents 21Fig. 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.
ManagementMethods Development Production Utilization Quality ControlMaterial Research PersonnelPolicy
Planning
Administration
Design ControlFacilities
Equipment
Operations
Production ControlTreatment
Handling
Distribution
Utilization ControlProcess Control
Product Control
Information
EvaluationStrain Development
Process Capability
Pilot Testing
Methods ControlPurchasing
Specifications
Standards
Responsibility
Verification
Storage
Material ControlColonization
Production
Utilization
Quality ControlSelection
Training
Motivation
Health and SafetyDesign
ControlProduction
ControlProcess
ControlProduct
ControlUtilization
ControlProduction Quality Control UtilizationTreatment
DistributionInformation
EvaluationResearch/Methods
Development
Material/PersonnelManagement