The AS6171 was developed by a committee of government and industry subject matter experts under the guidance of SAE International. Its full title is AS6171 Test Methods Standard; General Requirements, Suspect/Counterfeit, Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Parts. Its purpose is to create a way to evaluate risk and then use the calculated risk to choose appropriate test methods for particular product groups, which are clearly defined within the document. Its release has been long awaited due to the fact that both government and industry are looking for solid guidance on how to effectively perform risk evaluation and authenticity testing of electronic components. The standard is planned to be released before the end of 2015. In its anticipation, other standards, such as the AS6081, developed for independent distribution, are already referencing its utilization in their draft documents.
The AS6171 will be a great standard for your organization if you are looking for vetted test methods to either utilize within your own company or subcontract out to a lab or independent distributor with an in-house lab.
For detailed information on how the AS6171 fits in among all of the other SAE G19 standards (AS5553, AS6081, etc.) on counterfeit electronic components, please see this diagram standards gap analysis.
Robb Hammond is the President of AERI and the former chair of the Aerospace Industry’s Counterfeit Electronic Components Mitigation Standard for independent distributors, AS6081, which has become one of the industry’s most respected documents, as well as being adopted by the Department of Defense. Robb is one of the foremost thought leaders in the industry on counterfeit detection and speaks regularly at conferences around the globe.
