Case Study
AS6081 Explained: The Standard for Counterfeit Avoidance in Electronic Components
If you buy electronic components outside authorized distribution channels, you will encounter AS6081. It appears on distributor certificates, in purchase order quality clauses, and in the requirements documents of defense and aerospace supply chains. Understanding what it actually requires, and, critically, what it does not, is essential for any procurement team sourcing from the open market.
AS6081 is an SAE International standard, formally titled Counterfeit Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical (EEE) Parts: Avoidance, Detection, Mitigation, and Disposition - Independent Distribution. The current revision is AS6081A, published in 2023. It sets out the requirements that independent distributors must meet in their counterfeit avoidance programs, and it is the foundational quality standard for the independent electronics distribution industry.
