1.1 This method describes procedures for obtaining a sample for testing. It should be recognized that in an ideal situation the samples selected should represent a lot of paper or paperboard, container board, or related product, including converted paper products (all hereafter referred to as ?paper?). However, in some situations the sample may be as small as a single sheet of paper that has been provided to the laboratory for testing and may not represent the lot from which it is obtained.

1.2 Prior to purchase, there should be agreement between buyer and seller on the size of the lot to be sampled (3.1), on details of the sampling procedure, the required physical and chemical properties, dimensional tolerances, etc., and the testing methods to be employed.

1.3 The appendices, which provide useful, statistical criteria for accepting individual lots of paper on the basis of the number of defective test units, can assist the buyer and the seller in selecting an agreed upon sampling and acceptance procedure.