SAE International recently responded to the problem of counterfeiting by completing this
past fall a new standard designed to mitigate the risks of receiving and
installing counterfeit electronic parts. The SAE standard, AS5553:
Counterfeit Electronic Parts; Avoidance, Detection, Mitigation, and
Disposition, which was created by the Counterfeit Electronic
Parts Committee (G-19), standardizes the requirements, practices,
and methods related to parts management, supplier management,
procurement, inspection, test/evaluation, and response strategies when
suspected or confirmed counterfeit parts are discovered.Electronic Supply Chain Solutions' President Matthew Heaphy is among the small group of individuals that make up the G-19 committee.
The standard was recently adopted by the U.S. Department of Defense.
How do counterfeit parts get into the supply chain of the aviation
industry, which has a reputation for thoroughness and security? It
begins with simple economics - supply and demand. The volume of
electronics used by the military and the airline industry is miniscule
compared to the public’s use, which includes cell phones, computers
and entertainment systems. Chip manufacturers focus on meeting
these large volume needs and subsequently stop producing the less profitable
aerospace components.
When original equipment manufacturers can no longer buy from an
original component manufacturer, they must go to the open market and
find a broker who can supply the equipment. Counterfeiters are aware
of the shortages and begin approaching brokers with the bogus goods.
Brokers must rely on the word of the suppliers and have no way of
determining if the electronic parts are bogus.
The control plan includes processes to specifically address
counterfeit part risk mitigation methods in electronic design and parts
management, supplier management, procurement, part verification,
material control and response strategies when suspect or confirmed
counterfeit parts are discovered.
The standard calls for maximized availability of authentic parts;
procurement of parts from reliable sources; assuring authenticity
and conformance of procured parts; control of parts identified as
counterfeit; and reporting counterfeit parts to other potential users and
government investigative authorities.
The Counterfeit Electronic Parts Committee has recently begun work
on a new related document, AS6081, Counterfeit Electronic Parts;
Avoidance Protocol, Distributors. Watch for more info as it becomes available.
