The Component Obsolescence
Group (COG) has published best-practice
guidance to help companies up and down the supply chain avoid
counterfeit electronic components.
"No-one is immune. Counterfeiting activity ranges from the
simple remarking of commodity devices right up to the sophisticated
and deliberate reprogramming of complex products to subvert
military equipment," said COG chairman Tim Elliott.
"Despite government and industry initiatives to counter this
threat, the risks remain real and very significant. Companies who
ignore counterfeits, ignore the huge potential for significant
financial liability, and loss of reputation, if counterfeits
penetrate to the production line."
'The Counterfeit Electronic Components Minefield' combines a
historical perspective on counterfeiting and intellectual property
theft, said COG, including government statistics from the US,
Europe and Asia, and outlines the ways in which electronic
components are counterfeited and distributed.
The booklet includes case studies and photographs of both
genuine and counterfeit parts as well as offering practical advice
on best-practice purchasing strategies, and a range of
authentication procedures.
"The author, Charles Battersby, has drawn on the considerable
knowledge and expertise of members of the COG to provide an
industry-wide assessment of the true impact of counterfeit
electronic components at all levels of the supply chain."
This is the tenth in a series of guidance notes published by
COG.
The booklets are aimed at readers with all levels of experience.
They cover one aspect of obsolescence management: obsolescence
strategy and process development, long-term storage, managing the
supply chain, managing redundant stock, emulation and substitution,
hardware design and software obsolescence issues.
COG guidance publications are available for £10 or €15 each plus
P&P from www.cog.org.uk or
by email via admin@cog.org.uk.