AS5553D: Counterfeit Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical (EEE) Parts; Avoidance, Detection, Mitigation, and Disposition

SAE AS5553 standardizes the requirements, practices, and methods to reduce counterfeit parts entering the supply chain. It provides Requirements and Guidance by outlining actions an organization can take to address the growing problem of counterfeit parts across the entire electronics industry. The current version is AS5553D.

 

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History of AS55553

AS5553 was first published in 2009 by SAE international, with revisions made in 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2022. The first standard was developed as a response to the heightened risk of counterfeit electrical, electronic, and electromechanical (EEE) parts entering the global aerospace supply chain, along with other high-reliability and critical sectors, which pose significant performance, reliability, and safety risks. The revisions of AS5553 are in response to continually evolving risks related to EEE parts. 

The newest revision, SAE AS5553D, was updated in April 2022. The current version includes requirements, practices, and methods related to EEE parts management, supplier management, procurement, traceability and control, training, and response strategies when untrustworthy parts are found. These requirements are intended to be carried down throughout the supply chain. The mitigation of counterfeit EEE parts of this standard is risk-based. The mitigation steps vary depending on the cruciality of the application, desired performance, and reliability of the equipment/hardware.

After the publication of AS5553 in 2009, NASA and the DOD adopted the standard. 

Incorporates recognized best practices in:

• Component Management
• Supplier Management
• Procurement
• Inspection
• Test/Evaluation Methods
• Response strategies when counterfeit components are suspected or detected

Who should implement AS5553?

All electronic industries should implement AS5553: Defense, Aerospace, Civil & Commercial. The need often starts with an end customer, the government or private entity, placing requirements on their subcontractor to have a counterfeit mitigation plan in place

• Industry Associations
• Aerospace Industries Association (AIA)
• Best Manufacturing Practices Center of Excellence (BMPCOE)
• ERAI, Inc.
• Independent Distributors of Electronics Association (IDEA)

How bad is the problem?

The problem is an industry-wide global problem, particularly in AS&D industries. ERAI, Inc. receives ~200 suspect counterfeit part complaints/month and confirmed more than 2800 brokers selling counterfeit components.

What are the Benefits of AS5553?

The biggest benefit of AS5553 is reduction in counterfeit parts throughout the industry, thus limiting supply-chain risk. 

AS6081 and AS5533

If you are an independent distributor and are interested in being compliant with AS5533, you need to also implement the sister standard AS6081. AS6081 is similar to AS5553, but it contains prescriptive counterfeit parts avoidance requirements intended for distributors that purchase from the open market.