Mouser explains the processes and procedures it has in place to prevent counterfeit or gray market products entering its inventory.
Threats of counterfeit components entering the supply chain is a growing concern as demand increases and fake parts are harder to detect. This, combined with the current product shortages, means it’s more important than ever to buy from an authorized distributor.
Mouser Electronics’ customers can order with confidence, knowing that the global authorized distributor has rigorous processes in place to prevent counterfeit products entering its inventory. Customers can expect 100 per cent certified, genuine products, fully traceable to each manufacturer.
Mouser is the electronic component industry’s first authorized distributor to receive accreditation to AS6496, the aerospace industry’s high standard for anti-counterfeit measures in authorized electronic component distribution. The standard sets requirements for the avoidance, detection, mitigation and disposition of counterfeit products in the authorized distribution supply chain. This international standard requires authorized distributors to have a counterfeit mitigation policy and a counterfeit electronics parts control plan. Industries and individuals looking to reduce the risk of counterfeit electronic parts entering the supply chain can accomplish this by using authorized distributors accredited to AS6496.
Mouser received the AS6496 accreditation in Fall 2018 from the Performance Review Institute (PRI), as part of the Counterfeit Avoidance Accreditation Program (CAAP). The CAAP audit was based on audit criteria (AC7403) created jointly by PRI, the Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA) and aerospace OEM representatives.
CAAP is a cooperative industry effort to mitigate the risk of introducing counterfeit parts into the supply chain and the cost for compliance throughout the aviation, space and defense industries. The program was established to enable organizations like Mouser that purchase components and assemblies to demonstrate they have systems in place to identify counterfeit products and to minimize the risks associated with them. CAAP accreditation reassures customers of the organizations’ vigilance and ability to act appropriately.
Mouser is also registered to AS9100D/ISO 9001:2015 and ANSI/ESD S20.20-2014, the industry’s gold standards for quality, control and electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection. Mouser’s AS9100D/ISO 9001:2015 quality management system adds additional aviation, space and defense industry requirements, including procedures and processes for the prevention of counterfeit parts. Registration to these standards provides customers with the confidence that Mouser is an authorized distributor of the highest quality components by providing traceability, risk management, process control, customer support, product availability and document/record control.
Whether customers are buying online or through one of the company’s trained customer service representatives, Mouser has the professionals and procedures in place to ensure an effective and efficient supply chain, free of counterfeit or gray market products.