# Quality deviation

*Last updated: 2026-06-18*

> A quality deviation occurs when delivered goods or services fail to meet the specifications, standards, or performance levels set out in the contract.

A quality deviation occurs when delivered goods or services fail to meet the specifications, standards, or performance levels set out in the contract. Warehouse staff or consignees typically identify deviations during receipt inspection—scratches, missing units, dimensional non-conformities, or shortfalls in service performance are common examples. In logistics practice, deviations must be formally documented—on the delivery note, in a damage report, or via a written reservation—to substantiate claims against suppliers, carriers, or insurers. Consequences range from complaints and replacement deliveries to returns and contractual penalties; undocumented deviations often shift the financial burden to the consignee.

**Source:** [https://wirtschaftslexikon.gabler.de/definition/qualitaetsabweichung-44765](https://wirtschaftslexikon.gabler.de/definition/qualitaetsabweichung-44765)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Quality deviation |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 94 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-18 |
| Source | https://wirtschaftslexikon.gabler.de/definition/qualitaetsabweichung-44765 |

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