Key definitions
- Counterfeit part
- An item knowingly misrepresented as something it is not — re-marked, refurbished and represented as new, or fabricated to imitate an authorized source.
- Suspect Unapproved Part (SUP)
- A part for which there is reason to believe the article is not genuine, was not produced under FAA approval, or has been improperly maintained or documented (per FAA AC 21-29).
- Trusted source
- OEM, OEM-authorized distributor, FAA / EASA repair station with a Certificate of Conformance, or an AS6081-compliant distributor with full traceability.
Prevention controls
- Source preference: OEM and OEM-authorized first; AS6081-conformant independents only when authorized supply is exhausted, with documented justification.
- Trace pedigree captured to last operator or OEM source on every line; no anonymous brokered chains.
- Sanctioned and restricted-party screening on every party in the chain.
- Risk scoring at the part level — known counterfeit-risk components (e.g. high-demand semiconductors, obsolete EEE parts) trigger additional inspection.
Detection and inspection
- Documentation review against AS6171 / AS5553 evidence requirements before release.
- Visual inspection of markings, lead finish, and packaging against OEM datasheet and known counterfeit indicators.
- Lot, date code, and serial verification against supplier records and OEM authorized lists.
- Escalated test on risk-scored lines — XRF, decapsulation, electrical test, or curve trace through accredited labs (per AS6171) when warranted.
Quarantine, reporting, and disposition
- Any suspect part is immediately quarantined — physically segregated, tagged, and removed from sellable inventory.
- An internal investigation captures supplier, lot, dates, and chain of custody.
- Verified counterfeits or SUPs are reported to the FAA Suspected Unapproved Parts Notification (SUPN) program, GIDEP (where eligible), and customers who received related lots.
- DFARS 252.246-7007 covered contracts trigger required disclosures within the contractually mandated window.
- Counterfeit material is destroyed under documented chain of custody — never returned to commerce.
We never quietly substitute
If a part fails our inspection, you are notified and the line is replaced or refunded. We never substitute a different lot or grade without explicit buyer approval.
Training and program governance
All staff with sourcing, receiving, or shipping responsibilities complete annual training on counterfeit risk, AS5553/AS6081 control elements, and SUP recognition. Program effectiveness is reviewed at least annually by the quality function.
Question, request, or follow-up?
Reach the PartsPerk team for clarification, escalation, or to start a related conversation.
PartsPerk LLC · Delaware, United States · Doc /policies/anti-counterfeit · v1.0