An exemplar is a product of the same model and production period used to demonstrate design, test performance, or compare against the incident unit. Establishing substantial similarity is required.
Manufacturing changes between production runs affect comparability.
Alternative Names:
Exemplar, Comparison Unit
Why it Matters?
Substantial similarity is the admissibility requirement and production date is the critical variable, since a design change or supplier substitution between the incident unit and the exemplar undermines the comparison. Serial number records establishing configuration at manufacture are what support or defeat the foundation. Exemplar testing is also frequently the only route to demonstrating a defect where the incident unit was destroyed.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What is the foundation requirement?
When is exemplar testing necessary?
