8.9 Counterfeit Avoidance (AS5553)

The global supply chain is vulnerable to counterfeit components—reclaimed, remarked, or fake parts. SAE AS5553 provides the framework for avoidance, detection, mitigation, and disposition.

8.9.1 Prevention Strategy

• Procurement: Purchase exclusively from OCMs (Original Component Manufacturers) or Authorized (Franchised) Distributors.
• Chain of Custody: Manufacturers must maintain full traceability documents (CoC) back to the OCM.

8.9.2 Detection (The Grey Market Protocol)

When parts must be sourced from independent brokers due to obsolescence:

1. Visual Inspection: Check for sanding marks ("blacktopping"), inconsistent date codes, or bent leads indicative of pulled parts.
2. Solvent Test: Acetone wipe test to check if markings smear (indicating non-factory ink).
3. X-Ray Inspection: Verify die size and wire bond patterns against a known "Golden Sample."
4. Decapsulation: Destructive removal of the package to inspect the silicon die markings.

Final Checklist

Control Layer	Action Required	Trigger
Sourcing	Buy only from AVL / Franchise	Standard Ops
Visual Check	Inspect for sanding/remarking	All Broker Parts
Advanced Test	X-Ray / Decapsulation	High-Risk / Broker Parts
Reporting	Report fakes to GIDEP / ERAI	Confirmed Counterfeit