Avoiding Counterfeit Electronic Components

In today´s supply chain environment, electronic equipment manufacturers and Government users must be vigilant in order to avoid counterfeit electronic components. The vast majority of counterfeit cases reported are associated with purchases through independent distributors. The most effective approach to avoiding counterfeit electronic components is to purchase product directly from the original component manufacturer, or from a distributor, reseller or aftermarket supplier who is franchised or authorized by the original manufacturer. Because many components needed to produce and support defense electronics are no longer in current production, independent distributors are often used to fill this gap. While independent distributors provide a necessary function within the electronic component supply chain, they are not all created equal. Electronic equipment manufacturers and Government users need to understand the independent distributor´s operations and business processes. When considering purchases through independent distributors, electronic equipment manufacturers and Government users should also apply mitigation methods and strategic approaches, such as those discussed in this paper, to reduce the potential for acquiring counterfeit parts