AS9100 and Counterfeit Parts

Aerospace counterfeit parts are fraudulent or unauthorized parts that are falsely represented as genuine or authorized parts. These parts can be sourced from a variety of channels, including unauthorized manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors, and are often sold at a lower price than genuine parts. Counterfeit parts can compromise the safety, performance, and reliability of aerospace systems and can pose a significant risk to human life.

AS9100 addresses the issue of counterfeit parts through various requirements and controls, some of which include:

1. Supplier Management: AS9100 requires organizations to evaluate and select suppliers based on their ability to supply products and services that meet the organization’s requirements, including the prevention of counterfeit parts. This involves maintaining a list of approved suppliers and conducting periodic audits to ensure compliance.
2. Risk Management: Organizations must have a risk management process in place to identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to counterfeit parts. This includes assessing the likelihood of counterfeit parts entering the supply chain and taking appropriate actions to minimize the risk.
3. Purchasing Process: The purchasing process must include controls to prevent the procurement of counterfeit parts. This may involve specifying requirements for traceability, documentation, and verification of the parts’ authenticity. It may also involve the use of trusted suppliers and avoiding purchases from unauthorized or unverified sources.
4. Verification of Purchased Product: Organizations must establish processes to verify that the purchased products meet the specified requirements, including counterfeit part prevention. This may involve conducting inspections, tests, or other verification activities to ensure the authenticity of the parts received.
5. Control of Nonconforming Product: In case counterfeit parts are detected, AS9100 requires organizations to have a process in place to control and disposition nonconforming products, including reporting to relevant parties and quarantining the affected parts to prevent their use.
6. Training and Awareness: AS9100 requires organizations to provide appropriate training to their personnel to ensure they are aware of the risks associated with counterfeit parts, as well as the processes and controls in place to prevent and detect counterfeit parts.

By following these requirements, organizations can effectively minimize the risk of counterfeit parts entering the aerospace supply chain and ensure the safety and reliability of their products.