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.