AS9100 Clause 8.1.4 – Prevention of Counterfeit Parts

AS9100 8.1.4 Prevention of Counterfeit Parts is a requirement of the AS9100 quality management system (QMS) for the aerospace industry. It requires organizations to have a process in place to prevent the use of counterfeit parts in their products.

Counterfeit parts are parts that are not genuine, but are made to look like genuine parts. They can be made from inferior materials, or they can be defective. Counterfeit parts can pose a safety hazard, and they can also lead to product failure.

AS9100 8.1.4 requires organizations to take the following steps to prevent the use of counterfeit parts:

1. Identify the risk of counterfeit parts: Organizations need to identify the risk of counterfeit parts entering their supply chain. This can be done by considering the following factors:
   • The type of parts that the organization uses
   • The country of origin of the parts
   • The reputation of the suppliers
2. Establish controls to prevent counterfeit parts: Once the risk of counterfeit parts has been identified, organizations need to establish controls to prevent them from entering their supply chain. These controls can include the following:
   • Verifying the authenticity of parts
   • Using only approved suppliers
   • Conducting supplier audits
3. Monitor the effectiveness of controls: Organizations need to monitor the effectiveness of their controls to ensure that they are still effective over time. This can be done by the following:
   • Conducting audits
   • Reviewing incident reports
   • Collecting feedback from employees

By implementing these steps, organizations can help to prevent the use of counterfeit parts and ensure the safety of their products.

Here are some additional tips for preventing counterfeit parts:

• Be aware of the signs of counterfeit parts: Counterfeit parts may have poor quality, incorrect markings, or be missing important documentation.
• Buy from reputable suppliers: Only buy parts from suppliers that you trust.
• Request documentation: When you buy parts, request documentation that proves their authenticity.
• Inspect parts: When you receive parts, inspect them carefully for signs of counterfeiting.
• Report counterfeit parts: If you suspect that you have received a counterfeit part, report it to the supplier and the appropriate authorities.

By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself from counterfeit parts.