WASHINGTON – Brian Toohey, president and CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association, released the following statement today in support of H.R. 6012, legislation introduced this week by Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Rep. William Keating (D-MA) to stop the flow of counterfeit semiconductor chips into the US:

“For years, counterfeiters have used crude techniques to turn old electronic components into counterfeit semiconductor chips. Dangerous counterfeits are relabeled for sale to international brokers and can end up in a wide range of technologies, including automotive brake systems, medical devices such as defibrillators, and military equipment such as missiles, navigation systems and jets. Counterfeit semiconductors are a ticking time bomb and pose serious risks to our armed forces personnel, citizens, critical infrastructure and military operations across the United States and the world.

“In the past, SIA member companies worked with US Customs and Border Protection to intercept counterfeit semiconductors at US ports of entry. CBP would send the semiconductor company associated with the trademark photographs of suspected counterfeits, and the company’s technical experts would expeditiously help determine whether the products in question were legitimate or counterfeit. This process was highly effective. Unfortunately, in 2008 CBP instituted a policy that restricted semiconductor companies’ access to such photographs of identifying information on suspect counterfeit chips, making it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for CBP or industry representatives to stop counterfeit semiconductors before they enter the US.

“The legislation introduced yesterday by Reps. McKeon, McCaul and Keating would reverse the CBP policy and allow semiconductor companies to receive photographs that show identifying information on suspected counterfeit chips to determine their authenticity. This legislation would allow CBP and industry to resume working together in order to halt and seize suspected counterfeit semiconductors before they enter the US supply chains.

“SIA commends Reps. McCaul, McKeon and Keating for introducing this much-needed and timely legislation. Likewise, SIA applauds the strong bipartisan support for this bill and similar initiatives in both the House and Senate. Regardless of the legislative vehicle, these common sense proposals urgently need to be enacted to stop dangerous counterfeits at the border.”