Tougher quality standards set for the electronics supply chain

Tougher requirements are being set by a major consortium of electronics distributors, challenging the industry to protect the integrity of the global supply chain for semiconductors and other key electronic components used in computers and other digital devices. Companies like Converge, the leading independent electronics distributor, pave the way with quality standards that continue meet and exceed the most stringent criteria.

New, more stringent standards have been issued by the IDEA — the Independent Distributors of Electronics Association — to ensure the integrity of semiconductors and other key electronic components used in the manufacturing of electronic equipment. Converge today announced that it not only meets those standards but continues to exceed them in all its facilities worldwide.

With distribution centers in Asia, Europe and throughout the Americas, Converge is the largest independent distributor of electronic components in the world.

“We strongly endorse the raising of membership standards by the IDEA,” says Converge CEO Frank Cavallaro. “As an industry, we owe it to our customers to uphold the strictest levels of quality throughout the supply chain. The threat of counterfeit and substandard parts can only be defeated with comprehensive, end-to-end discipline among suppliers.”

In its new membership criteria, the IDEA mandates that electronics distributors be ISO 9001 certified by an accredited registrar, be certified to the ANSI ESD S20.20 specification and have at least one IDEA-ICE-3000-certified component inspector at each of its distribution facilities worldwide.

In addition to meeting these tougher requirements, Converge sets the highest bar with regard to quality of any independent distributor with its comprehensive 76-point inspection process. This process includes the IDEA 1010 standard inspection criteria, as well as additional steps to confirm that moisture sensitivity levels and RoHS compliance are met; ensuring components are authentic and meet original equipment manufacturers’ specifications. In addition to certifications to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards, Converge also has a certified ESD program to the ANSI ESD S20.20 standard that complements internal quality processes and zero-tolerance inspection checks, as well as stringent customer supplier based management and strategic sourcing audit requirements.

Source: PR Web