---
title: "Sample unit"
slug: "sample-unit"
description: "Manage sample units for inventory and quality orders to support accurate measurement and conversion between inventory and sample units."
tags: ["Life Sciences", "Quality Control and Assurance"]
updated: 2026-06-25T10:24:07Z
published: 2026-06-25T10:24:07Z
canonical: "docs.staedean.com/sample-unit"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.staedean.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Sample unit

In some cases, the use of different units of measure is required for inventory and sampling purposes. For example, when the quantity is significantly different (for example, kg vs mg) or when different measurement criteria need to be used (for example, ml vs vial).

## Sample unit at the item level

The **Sample unit** field in the **Released products** form (**Product information management > Products > Released products**) allows differentiating the unit of measure for inventory and sampling processes. If specified, the quality order quantity will be expressed in the sample unit; otherwise, the inventory unit will be used. A conversion must exist between the inventory and sample unit (for example, 100 ml = 1 vial).

## Sample unit at the item sampling level

Additionally, it is possible to specify the sample unit at the **Item sampling** level (**Life Sciences Quality Control & Assurance > Setup > Quality control > Item sampling**). The selected sample unit is displayed in the [**Advanced item sampling**](/life-sciences/docs/advanced-item-sampling) form.

## Sample unit in quality orders

If specified, quality orders will be generated with the sample quantity expressed in the sample unit.

The following scenarios are applicable:

- If the **Sample unit** is not defined in the released product or in the item sampling, the quality order quantity is expressed in inventory unit.
- If the **Sample unit** is defined either in the released product or in the item sampling, the quality order quantity is expressed in sample unit.
- If the **Sample unit** is defined both in the released product and in the item sampling, the quality order quantity is expressed in the sample unit specified in the item sampling.

When manually creating a quality order, it is possible to choose the **Item sampling** value. The **Sample unit** specified in the item sampling (if any) is displayed and the quality order quantity will be expressed in that unit.

#### Example

Let’s consider an item “RM001” with inventory unit “kg” and an item sampling set with:

- **Quantity specification:** **Fixed quantity**
- **Value:** “10”
- **Sample unit:** “g”

When receiving a “10 kg” batch of item “RM001”, the quality order is generated for a “10 g” quantity.

## Related

- [Advanced item sampling](/advanced-item-sampling.md)
- [Quality order sampling](/quality-order-sampling.md)
- [Quality control setup](/quality-control-setup.md)
- [Life Sciences Quality Control & Assurance](/life-sciences-quality-control-assurance.md)