ALPHARETTA, GA – The Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA) and the Performance Review Institute (PRI) today announced the release of a new audit checklist for component distributors based on the standard for counterfeit mitigation. AC7403 provides the framework for audit and certification to the requirements of AS6496, the standard for counterfeit mitigation in authorized distribution.

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,” said Kevin Sink, VP of quality at TTI and cochair of the SAE committee that drafted AS6496. “This enables the authorized channel to provide further confidence to customers that authorized distributors have certified procedures to ensure counterfeit materials do not enter the supply chain.”

“From the original component manufacturer’s perspective, this certification also provides confidence in their authorized distributor’s compliance to the requirements for counterfeit mitigation,” said John Sharp, TE Connectivity’s global quality leader - Channel Business Unit. “There is no need for the OCM to audit, assess or verify their authorized distributors; evidence from the PRI audit is acceptable. Additionally, OCMs 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.”

PRI will perform audits using a process like Nadcap. This month, Mouser Electronics will be the first authorized distributor to be audited.

Register now for PCB WEST, the leading trade show for the printed circuit design and electronics manufacturing industry! Coming Sept. 11-13 to the Santa Clara Convention Center.