Final answer:
Conformance quality is the term that refers to being free from defects and consistent in achieving a desired performance level, which is an important aspect of quality management.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of quality that refers to freedom from defects and consistency in delivering a targeted level of performance is known as conformance quality. Conformance quality is essential in ensuring customers receive products or services that meet their expectations and the standards set by the company. This concept is central to quality management and focuses on adherence to specifications and making sure that what is produced or delivered is exactly what was intended, without errors or variations.