A discontinued component can become critical for maintenance, spare parts and long-running industrial programmes. Addressing this requires connecting availability, documentation and technical requirements.
Manage obsolescence before it becomes urgent
When a part becomes hard to find, buying the first available batch may seem quickest. First clarify the exact component required, the evidence that must accompany it and who can authorise substitutions.
The standard IEC 62402:2019 provides requirements and guidance for obsolescence management. For buyers, the practical objective is to build a process involving procurement, design and quality.
Information to collect before sourcing
- Full part number and manufacturer: suffixes, package, revision and required grade must be explicit.
- Actual requirements: immediate quantity, forecast consumption and support duration help distinguish an urgent request from an ongoing need.
- Programme constraints: acceptable date codes, storage conditions, documents and checks required by the customer.
- Permitted alternatives: clarify whether equivalents are allowed or the original part number is mandatory.
Stock availability and batch suitability are separate checks
Stated availability must be confirmed with quantities, lead times and supply terms. Photographs and documents are useful, but alone do not demonstrate authenticity and conformity. The depth of verification must reflect origin, intended use and contractual requirements.
Checks may include document reviews, inspections and tests agreed with competent laboratories. A generic “tested component” statement does not describe which characteristics were checked: the test plan and report must be clear.
How to assess an FFF alternative
Fit, Form and Function concern integration compatibility, physical characteristics and functional behaviour. Comparison must also consider pinout, tolerances, power supply, performance, operating environment and qualification conditions. Matching a few datasheet entries does not automatically authorise substitution.
If equivalence cannot be demonstrated, assess a design change with the technical authority. Any last-time buy must also consider demand, storage and the risk of tying up capital in unusable material.
Active and passive electronic components, current and obsolete
When sourcing active components such as integrated circuits and semiconductors, or passive components such as resistors and capacitors, provide the full part number, manufacturer, quantity and project requirements. For obsolete or end-of-life items, also clarify permitted alternatives and required documentation.
AS6081 and AS6171 testing: clarify the requirement
AS6081 addresses practices to prevent and manage counterfeit-part risk in distribution. The AS6171 family addresses inspection and test methods to detect suspect or counterfeit electrical, electronic and electromechanical parts. The references are not interchangeable: specify applicable revision, scope and expected documentation.
Test-house verification and test reports
EFFE-G uses external test houses to check active and passive electronic components, including obsolete parts. On request, supplies may include test reports and conformity documentation issued by the appointed test house under the standards and requirements agreed with the customer.
Before supply, the applicable standard and revision, test plan, sampling and deliverable documents are defined. Reports are issued by the test house performing the checks and refer to identified samples or batches and tests actually performed. Any certifications must be specified in the quotation, identifying the issuer and scope.
EFFE-G coordinates technical and commercial discussions between the customer, supplier and test house for the agreed service. The appointed test house is responsible for testing and issuing the reports.
Official sources: SAE AS6081 and revisions · SAE AS6171 and revisions.
EFFE-G’s contribution
EFFE-G supports sourcing current and obsolete components, comparing sourcing options and coordinating technical and commercial discussions with specialist partners. The aim is to present assessable options, leaving the customer responsible for technical approvals under its own process.
Do you have a hard-to-find part number? Prepare the part number, manufacturer, quantity, deadline and required documentation: these details help start targeted sourcing.
Explore technical procurement · Submit a request to EFFE-G
Reference: IEC 62402:2019, official IEC page. The practical guidance is an EFFE-G editorial summary and does not replace project specifications, inspection plans or customer approvals.