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What is the OOS Limit?

Published in Quality Control Limits 2 mins read

An Out-of-Specification (OOS) limit is the boundary beyond which a test result is considered unacceptable and requires investigation. Based on the provided reference, the OOS limit can be defined as follows:

Understanding OOS Limits

When a test result falls outside the established specification limits, it's classified as an OOS result. These limits define the acceptable range for a given parameter, ensuring product quality and consistency.

Example of an OOS Result

  • Specification Limit (Assay): 95.0 - 105.0 % w/w of label claim.
  • OOS Result: 94.2 % w/w

In the provided example, a result of 94.2 % w/w for a particular batch is considered OOS because it falls below the lower specification limit of 95.0% w/w.

Key Aspects of OOS Limits

  • Established Range: OOS limits are defined by the specification limits set for the specific parameter being measured.
  • Product Quality: They ensure product quality by defining the acceptable range for a given test.
  • Investigation Trigger: An OOS result requires a thorough investigation to determine the cause.

Table of OOS Definition

Item Definition
Specification Limit Established range for an acceptable result
OOS Result Test result falls outside the specification limits.
Action Requires investigation into the cause of the OOS result.


In summary, any test result that goes beyond the pre-defined specification limits is considered an Out-of-Specification (OOS) result, triggering further investigation to address the deviation.

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