Benefits of AS6171 for Suspect/Counterfeit EEE Parts

ANAB has become the industry leader in providing accreditation to SAE AS 6171A: Test Methods Standard; General Requirements, Suspect/Counterfeit, Electrical, Electronic, And Electromechanical Parts, which standardizes inspection and test procedures, workmanship criteria, and minimum training and certification requirements to detect Suspect/Counterfeit (SC) Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical (EEE) parts. Currently, ANAB has accredited 26 testing laboratories to perform detection of suspect/counterfeit electrical, electronic, and electromechanical parts.

ANAB recently participated in the Symposium on Counterfeit Parts and Materials organized by the Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA) and Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering (CALCE). At the Symposium, ANAB presented on Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 and AS6171 and was a part of the Test Laboratory Panel Discussion, which included panelists from currently accredited test labs. Some of the highlighted items of discussion were:

What Are the Benefits of Accreditation to AS6171?

AS6171 includes requirements and test methods to follow when a decision is made to use aerospace parts with unknown chain of custody that do not have pedigree back to the original component manufacturer or have been acquired from a broker or independent distributor. These requirements assure consistency across the supply chain for test techniques and requirements based on assessed risk associated with the application, component, supplier, and other relevant risk factors.

Accreditation to AS6171 includes:

On-site conformity assessment by a technically competent assessor.
- The accreditation body must include a lead assessor trained to ISO/IEC 17025 and a technical expert who meets the competence requirements for a Level 2 personnel minimum as defined in the AS6171 slash sheet(s) to be evaluated.
Assurance that conformity assessment body adheres to internationally recognized standards.
- This technical expert works with the ANAB lead assessor to ensure the CAB’s testing personnel are competent to conduct the tests on the scope of accreditation (AS6171 slash sheets).
Evaluation of management system and conformity assessment methods.
- Validity and appropriateness of methods
- Suitability of equipment
- Quality control procedures
Demonstration of technical competence of conformity assessment body personnel.
- Training
- Knowledge of the equipment and methods
- Reporting of results

Currently there are ten slash sheets that labs can acquire accreditation:

AS6171/2: Techniques for Suspect / Counterfeit EEE Parts Detection by External Visual Inspection, Remarking and Resurfacing, and Surface Texture Analysis Test Methods
AS6171/3: Techniques for Suspect / Counterfeit EEE Parts Detection by X-Ray Fluorescence Test Methods
AS6171/4: Techniques for Suspect / Counterfeit EEE Parts Detection by Delid / Decapsulation Physical Analysis Test Methods
AS6171/5: Techniques for Suspect / Counterfeit EEE Parts Detection by Radiological Test Methods
AS6171/6: Techniques for Suspect / Counterfeit EEE Parts Detection by Acoustic Microscopy (AM) Test Methods
AS6171/7: Techniques for Suspect / Counterfeit EEE Parts Detection by Electrical Test Methods
AS6171/8: Techniques for Suspect / Counterfeit EEE Parts Detection by Raman Spectroscopy Test Methods
AS6171/9: Techniques for Suspect / Counterfeit EEE Parts Detection by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
AS6171/10: Techniques for Suspect / Counterfeit EEE Parts Detection by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) Test Methods
AS6171/11: Techniques for Suspect / Counterfeit EEE Parts Detection by Design Recovery Test Methods

These counterfeit detection test methods are expanding to keep up with counterfeiting practices with many additional slash sheets in draft. They are being adapted rapidly in the electrical, electronic, and electromechanical (EEE) parts industries as counterfeiters are becoming more and more effective in their counterfeiting practices.