Counterfeit Prevention
Ecliptek Corporation Counterfeit Component Guidance

coun∙ter∙feit

adjective

made in imitation so as to be passed off fraudulently or deceptively as genuine;
not genuine; forged

Introduction

The risk of purchasing counterfeit components and having them enter into the supply chain is an ongoing problem. Ecliptek provides this counterfeit component guidance information in response to the significant and increasing volume of counterfeit electronic components entering the supply chain, posing significant reliability and performance risks to our customers. Ecliptek understands that the use of counterfeit components can result in unneeded inspections and testing, restocking, lost revenue, product failure, increased warranty costs, and loss of intellectual property. Our goal is to provide guidance about the procedures and practices we utilize to help mitigate the customer risks of purchasing, receiving and installing counterfeit electronic parts.

Objective

This guidance is provided to document the standard procedures and practices we employ related to component parts management, supplier management, purchasing, inspection and test, evaluation, and response strategies when suspect or confirmed counterfeit parts are discovered in the supply chain.

The task of verifying the authenticity of electronic components through processes related to supplier management, purchasing, laboratory analysis, and electrical testing, etc. is a never ending task of detection. The goal of a sound counterfeit component program is to create a strategy based on prevention.

Definition

Ecliptek defines a counterfeit component as a product produced or altered to resemble a product without authority or right to do so, with the intent to mislead or defraud by presenting the imitation as original or genuine.

Qualification and Reliability

Ecliptek Corporation is a privately held company with a certified and registered quality management system based on the ISO 9001:2008. Ecliptek designs, manufactures, and sells quartz crystals and oscillators for the frequency control market.

Material Control of Components

Prior to production release, all products are fully characterized and qualified per our controlled internal standards. All products are designed and brought into production using our qualified and validated processes and materials. Ecliptek implements on-going Lot Acceptance Testing (LAT) and Quality Conformance Inspection (QCI) for each production lot.

Ecliptek operates using a traditional manufacturing model with supplier management and sourcing as a cornerstone of our success. Ecliptek performs initial and ongoing assessments of our critical supply partners using stringent criteria, qualification and continuous monitoring processes. All of our supply partners are certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 or TS 16949 standards.

Ecliptek has documented processes and procedures to assure that product returned from the supply chain is evaluated to ensure that it is not counterfeit and does not re-enter the supply chain.

Documentation

Ecliptek provides product datasheets and other controlled company documents that our customers need to qualify and use Ecliptek’s many products, including but not limited to material declarations, RoHS certifications, REACH compliance statements, and reliability reports.

Risk and Awareness

Component Risk Mitigation Commitment

Component risk mitigation can be defined as a planned and systematic reduction in the extent of exposure to a risk and the likelihood of its occurrence. Although zero risk is the desired outcome, it may not be achieved. Thus, the minimization of risk is critical in the management of the supply chain. Ecliptek is committed to mitigating risk by working closely with its authorized distributors and customers to address counterfeit components in the supply chain.

Counterfeit Component Awareness

Ecliptek has created an internal anti-counterfeiting task force titled the Ecliptek Anti-Counterfeit Team. This team includes representatives from quality assurance, engineering, purchasing, manufacturing and management. This team has been established to assist customers and authorized distributors with their questions about counterfeit issues and to aid in their management of Ecliptek counterfeit components. The team continually benchmarks other companies, accumulates information on anti-counterfeiting strategies and works to understand and implement industry best practices. The team also develops and implements internal anti-counterfeit management and education programs.

SAE AS5553 Counterfeit Standard

Ecliptek Corporation’s counterfeit component practices and procedures are derived using guidance from SAE AS5553 - Counterfeit Electronics Parts; Avoidance Detection, Mitigation, and Disposition.

The key points from this standard are outlined below.

1. Maximize the availability of authentic components
2. Purchase components from reliable sources
3. Assure authenticity and conformance of purchased components
4. Control components identified as counterfeit
5. Report counterfeit components

Ecliptek’s implementation of these points is detailed in the following sections.

Maximize the Availability of Authentic Components

To assist customers in maximizing availability of authentic, originally designed and/or qualified parts, Ecliptek provides content that can used to manage and anticipate component obsolescence.

Product Life Cycle Management

To assist customers with product obsolescence, forecasting, and EOL planning, Ecliptek provides product life cycle information for all Ecliptek product lines. Learn More

Product End of Life (EOL) Announcements
with Alternate Ecliptek Products

Ecliptek clearly designates all EOL products on our website by placing an EOL graphic next to any view of an EOL part number or product series. The graphic serves as a link to the EOL Announcement document, which includes:

• EOL Issue Date
• Last Order Date
• Last Shipment Date
• Recommended Alternative Products
• EOL Series Datasheet

Learn More

Automated End of Life (EOL) Email Notifications

To assist customers with EOL product notification, Ecliptek offers a proactive notification of EOL status for part numbers in the customer’s Parts List. The customer can add any Ecliptek part number to their Parts List so as to receive automated EOL notification via email. Learn More

Lifetime Buys

Using the last order date listed on the EOL notification, it is recommended that the customer purchase adequate component stock to meet their short and long term needs. It is important that the customer adopt realistic schedules for procuring electronic components based upon the product life cycle and EOL notification.

Ecliptek recommends that customers only purchase components from an Ecliptek Authorized Distributor

 

Purchase Components from Reliable Sources

Use of Authorized Distributors

Distributors play a critical role in the electronics supply chain, providing a bridge between Ecliptek and the customer. Distributors can be classified as authorized distributors, independent distributors, or brokers.

Authorized distributors are companies that have a legal agreement with Ecliptek to market, store, purchase, and sell Ecliptek products.

Conversely, independent distributors and brokers sell parts purchased from various entities without a legal agreement with Ecliptek to do so. Independent distributors and brokers can be combined into a single category called ’unauthorized distributors’, companies that are not party to a legal agreement to distribute Ecliptek products.

Ecliptek recommends that customers and/or their subcontractors (CM) only purchase components from an Ecliptek Authorized Distributor.

For customers purchasing Ecliptek components from an unauthorized distributor, Ecliptek recommends that customers and/or their CM confirm that the components provided by the unauthorized distributor originate from an Ecliptek Authorized Distributor. We can help with our Product Traceability Request System.

Assure Authenticity and Conformance of Procured Components

Ecliptek recommends the development and implementation of a counterfeit component control plan that documents the processes used for risk mitigation, disposition, and reporting of counterfeit components.

Ecliptek recommends the establishment of a list of trusted suppliers (approved suppliers list), including authorized distributors so as to enable informed and counterfeit free procurement.

Ecliptek recommends the inclusion of specific contract requirements or clauses that address supply chain traceability so as to reduce the risk of sourcing counterfeit components.

Report Suspected Counterfeit Components

Customer Communication

Ecliptek has created an internal anti-counterfeiting task force called the Ecliptek Anti-Counterfeit Team. This team includes representatives from quality assurance, engineering, purchasing, manufacturing and management. This team has been established to assist customers with their questions about counterfeit issues and to aid in their investigation of Ecliptek counterfeit components. Please contact the team if you have any questions related to counterfeit components.

Product Traceability

Ecliptek maintains a record for every product it has produced and sold. This data enables Ecliptek to offer a Product Traceability Request System. Customers and/or their subcontractors can contact Ecliptek directly to confirm if the Ecliptek product they procured can be tracked to a transaction with an Ecliptek Authorized Distributor.

Ecliptek will respond within one business day, advising whether or not the product procured was traceable to an Ecliptek authorized distributor transaction.

Conclusion

Although customers may apply stringent mitigation methods and strategic approaches to reduce the potential for purchasing counterfeit parts, Ecliptek recommends that customers and/or their CM do not purchase components from any unauthorized distributor that can not confirm origination from an Ecliptek Authorized Distributor.

The most effective approach to eliminate and avoid counterfeit electronic components in the supply chain is to purchase product directly from an Ecliptek Authorized Distributor.