Source: EPS news
The Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA) and the Performance Review Institute (PRI) are pleased to announce the release of audit checklist AC7403. This checklist provides the framework for audit and certification through PRI to the requirements of the standard for counterfeit mitigation in authorized distribution, AS6496.
Committee members who drafted AS6496 were involved in the development of the checklist in partnership with PRI and several aerospace OEM representatives. “We were very pleased with the interaction and diligence of the joint team to develop audit criteria to support AS6496. This enables the authorized channel to provide further confidence to customers that authorized distributors have certified procedures to ensure that counterfeit materials do not enter the supply chain. As authorized distributors, we are pleased to offer this peace of mind to the marketplace”, said Kevin Sink, VP of Quality at TTI, group leader of the ECIA’s GIPC Quality SMEG and co-chair of the SAE committee which drafted AS6496. The Global Industry Practices Council (GIPC) comprises seven Subject Matter Expert Groups (SMEG) that address specific industry concerns, such as International Trade Compliance, and Quality.
“From the Original Component Manufacturer’s perspective, this certification also provides confidence in their authorized distributor’s compliance to the requirements for counterfeit mitigation. There is no need for the OCM to audit, assess or verify their authorized distributors; evidence from the PRI audit is acceptable. Additionally, OCM’s can provide this evidence, from their distributors, to our joint customers. This reinforces the benefits of using authorized distributors and reduces potential product compliance, legal issues and costs related to counterfeit materials being introduced into the supply chain,” said John Sharp, TE Connectivity’s Global Quality Leader – Channel Business Unit.
Audits will be performed by PRI and utilize a process like that employed in their world-recognized, leading audit process for special processes, NADCAP. Because of the rigor of this approach, all members in the supply chain can rest easy when working with a certified supplier. The first authorized distributor to be audited to the AC7403 checklist by PRI was Mouser Electronics. “Mouser is proud to be the first Authorized Distributor to complete all the requirements for AC7403 certification. With the current supply constraints in the marketplace, it is even more important for customers to know that their distributor is meeting the AS6496 anti-counterfeit measures,” said Pete Shopp, VP of Global Operations at Mouser Electronics.
