Tool acceptability isn't a 'standard' decision. Let's imagine the unthinkable occurs, and an accident takes place that involves a product you manufacture. Your company becomes the target of legal action, and before you know it, a plaintiff's lawyer has subpoenaed your quality records, including those relating to the instruments and gages used to verify the product.
Let's imagine the unthinkable occurs, and an accident takes place that involves a product you manufacture. Your company becomes the target of legal action, and before you know it, a plaintiff's lawyer has subpoenaed your quality records, including those relating to the instruments and gages used to verify the product. Lawyers are getting smarter all the time. You have no fear. You maintain meticulous records. But, your company lawyers may not feel comfortable when they look at what your records indicate. What you have in writing could become a nightmare for them.
Why such a reaction? Aren't meticulous records preferred? Let's look at something simple like an equipment calibration report. If you have named a published standard as the measure by which a gage or instrument must comply, and your calibration report from an “independent“ laboratory indicates that tool doesn't meet the standard requirements, that report will be touted as proof that your quality records don't mean much because your equipment didn't meet the standard you chose as the measure. The fact the equipment could be five times worse than the standard calls for and still be satisfactory for your use will get lost in the rantings and ravings of a courtroom trial.