The much anticipated AS6081 standard was released on November 8, 2012 as a standard for independent distributors, brokers and Franchise Distributors for the avoidance, detection, mitigation and disposition of fraudulent and counterfeit electronic parts when selling parts not directly obtained from the OCM. Certified bodies are not yet accredited to audit companies to this standard, but we anticipate that to happen in early 2013.
The evolution of AS6081:
In 2007, in response to the ever increasing volume of counterfeit electronic parts entering the supply chain, the SAE formed a committee labeled “the G-19 Committee” to develop standards for various industries to avoid, detect and mitigate the risk of these parts entering the supply chain.
The SAE is a global association of more than 128,000 engineers and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial-vehicle industries. The SAE first produced the AS5553 in 2009, which is a similar standard for OEMs.
Global IC Trading Group has purchased a copy of the AS6081 standard and has completed a thorough review and GAP analysis. With a few minor changes to our processes and documentation, Global would be compliant to this standard and Global has already adopted the counterfeit part definition.
3.3 Counterfeit Part: A fraudulent part that has been confirmed to be a copy, imitation, or substitute that has been represented, identified, or marked as genuine, and/or altered by a source without legal right with intent to mislead, deceive, or defraud.
Notable sections
4.2.1.3: This section requires the AS6081 certified organization to supply in writing on every quotation the source of supply (both name and location) at the time of the quote.
There is some controversy regarding this requirement as often times the source of supply is considered proprietary. In addition the reference to “every” quotation suggests this would need to be supplied when selling to distributors as well as OEM customers.
4.2.1.6 : This section requires a revised written quotation sent to the customer if at any time the source of supply changed.
4.2.6.4.4 Radiological (X-ray) Inspection: This section addresses the possible radiation effect on parts and if it exceeds the manufacturer’s specification or specification data is unavailable, the X-ray inspection will be considered destructive.
B.1.4 Certificate of Conformance (CofC): This section requires an authorized signatory sign a CofC that attests that the parts provided under the purchase order are unused, unaltered and authentic, and have not been salvaged, reclaimed, otherwise used, or previously rejected for any reason.
There has been a lot of dialogue throughout the industry on an organization’s ability to authenticate product without the assistance of the intellectual property right holder.
We anticipate many more changes to come for the industry.