Passage 1
Specifications are detailed descriptions of the goods to be sold. They include the composition, content, purity, strength, size, etc. of the goods.
The same kind of goods might also be classified into different grades, such as large, medium, or small; Grade A, Grade B, or Grade C. Every grade has its own specifications. These grades are given by commercial chambers or relevant government departments or informally by the producers or the traders themselves. There are no uniform international grades for goods, and they are not so formal as standards.
Standards are the specifications or grades officially recognized by the governmental department or commercial organizations of a country. They have legal effects and hence are binding upon the traders. If the goods do not conform with the requirements demanded by the standards, they are not to be marketed.
Different countries have different standards. Also, most countries make alterations and amendments to their standards and it is therefore necessary to state the quoted publications of the standard in a contract.
In the trading of agricultural products, F.A.Q. (fair average quality) is often employed to indicate the quality of the goods. F.A.Q. is rather sweeping. From a technical point of view, it indicates the average quality of the current crop. Besides F.A.Q., specifications are still necessary unless the transaction is done between regular trading partners.
To be different from F.A.Q., the term “selected” is sometimes employed. With this term, the seller needs to state the specifications of the goods to show how selected it is.
For the trading of wood and aquatic products, G.M.Q. (good merchantable quality) is employed to indicate the quality of goods. G.M.Q. means the goods is free from defects and is good enough for use or consumption. G.M.Q. is usually not supplemented with specifications and when disputes arise because of the quality of the goods, exporters will have to be invited to make the arbitration.
45.The difference between F.A.Q. and “selected” is that the latter involves less general specifications.