Product Obsolescence Management

[doctall41]

Our auditor(s) the past two years have really harped on how do we manage product obsolescence.
Last year, I didn't have an answer, so they wrote that up as part of our Prevention of Counterfeit system. They encouraged me to join Gidep, and to beef up our Counterfeit Prevention system, which we did.
This year, the asked me how we manage obsolescence. I told them we have joined GIDEP and it is covered in there. One auditor looked at me like I was crazy, and said "No, it isn't". I said, "look in Gidep under DMSMS - Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages". THen she said, "well, it doesn't cover everything!" After that, she let the topic drop, so I'm not sure if she was satisfied or not!
My question is, what do you guys do with regard to Product Obsolescence Management?

 

[doctall41]

Our auditor(s) the past two years have really harped on how do we manage product obsolescence.
Last year, I didn't have an answer, so they wrote that up as part of our Prevention of Counterfeit system. They encouraged me to join Gidep, and to beef up our Counterfeit Prevention system, which we did.
This year, the asked me how we manage obsolescence. I told them we have joined GIDEP and it is covered in there. One auditor looked at me like I was crazy, and said "No, it isn't". I said, "look in Gidep under DMSMS - Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages". THen she said, "well, it doesn't cover everything!" After that, she let the topic drop, so I'm not sure if she was satisfied or not!
My question is, what do you guys do with regard to Product Obsolescence Management?

bump

 

[outdoorsNW]

While connected, counterfeit prevention and product obsolesce management are two different topics. I am assuming you are talking about purchased products that are no longer manufactured by the original producer and no other company has been authorized by the original company to become the new “official” source.

I think the auditor was wrong to write up a product obsolesce management problems under counterfeit prevention.

Once a product is no longer manufactured and the manufacturer sells its inventory, the risk of counterfeits increases because instead of buying from authorized distributors, you are usually buying from non-authorized sources such as brokers, sellers of excess inventory, and random sellers on the web.

Counterfeit parts can occur with parts still be manufactured new, especially if the part is expensive, easy to fake with a similar product, or in short supply. GIDEP helps identify counterfeit risks, but is only one parts of a prevention program.

Product obsolesce management includes actions such as subscribing to and reading supplier notifications, making last time buys, designing in the ability to use multiple suppliers, making the product easy to modify to use another supplier, and following manufacturer recommendations to not use a part for new designs. I am sure there are other aspects I am missing.

 

[doctall41]

Can you provide a hint as to what you mean by subscribing to and reading supplier notifications?
I appreciate the time you took to give me some input. Thank you very much!

 

[dsanabria]

Our auditor(s) the past two years have really harped on how do we manage product obsolescence.
Last year, I didn't have an answer, so they wrote that up as part of our Prevention of Counterfeit system. They encouraged me to join Gidep, and to beef up our Counterfeit Prevention system, which we did.
This year, the asked me how we manage obsolescence. I told them we have joined GIDEP and it is covered in there. One auditor looked at me like I was crazy, and said "No, it isn't". I said, "look in Gidep under DMSMS - Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages". THen she said, "well, it doesn't cover everything!" After that, she let the topic drop, so I'm not sure if she was satisfied or not!
My question is, what do you guys do with regard to Product Obsolescence Management?

Part 1 - Product Obsolescent is defined by the OEM /Engineering Department.
So, if you are not a design authority - move on - not your issue. it is not

Part 2 - If you make the product and receive a purchase order with a new revision Then during contract review you need to access and get clarification of the status of your obsolete products that you have made.

FROM FAQ on the IAQG Website

"The customer requirements are determined in clause 8.2.1 and clause 8.2.2 processes review that the requirements will be met. If a customer specifies a superseded / obsolete specification, then these differences need to be resolved with the customer prior to the organizational commitment to supply the product."

That can include return to OEM, disposed of properly or sell to Distributor / Brokers.

NOTE: This should be part of your risk assesment program.

Note: If the auditor brings the topic again - call the registrar for clarification and education. Let the auditor know that they have 2 terminology confused. Obsolete and counterfeit are not the same.