Traceability - No traceability records back to the supplier - Electronic Components

[al40]

We're implementing ISO 9001:2000 and I'm currently working in the stockroom and have found hundreds of electronic componets (Resistors, IC's, capacitors, etc) that need to be inventoried under our system, the problem I've found is that there is no records of traceability back to the orginal supplier. If I have these parts inventoried and then inspected can they be used (i.e. a job summary card showing the inspection, AQL and internal lot number assigned to the parts)?

Thanks,

Allen

 

[Al Rosen]

We're implementing ISO 9001:2000 and I'm currently working in the stockroom and have found hundreds of electronic componets (Resistors, IC's, capacitors, etc) that need to be inventoried under our system, the problem I've found is that there is no records of traceability back to the orginal supplier. If I have these parts inventoried and then inspected can they be used (i.e. a job summary card showing the inspection, AQL and internal lot number assigned to the parts)?

Thanks,

Allen

It depends. What industry are you in and does your system allow you to do this? Do you have a contractual requirement for traceability? Are these components (each individual part no.) from the same lot? Would you be treating them as if they were from the same lot and if so would you be willing to recall all of them if in the future a problem was found? Chances are you won't be faced with this, but should consider all possibilities. I had been faced with a similar situation in the past and did more than just a routine inspection to "qualify" the parts.

 

[al40]

It depends. What industry are you in and does your system allow you to do this? Do you have a contractual requirement for traceability? Are these components (each individual part no.) from the same lot? Would you be treating them as if they were from the same lot and if so would you be willing to recall all of them if in the future a problem was found? Chances are you won't be faced with this, but should consider all possibilities. I had been faced with a similar situation in the past and did more than just a routine inspection to "qualify" the parts.

Please adivise on how you handled this?

to answer your questions:
a) We develop new products based on various forms of research.
b) Yes we have some contracts that require traceabiltiy
c) I have no ideal what lots or P.O. these parts are from, they were found during an audit and could not be tied back to a PO the parts are worth thousands of dollars and I can't see throwing them away.

d) If we had problems then yes the parts would have to be recalled.

 

[sardonyx]

I would say you can still use those components such as resistors, capacitors, ICs etc. My suggestion is to find out the manufacturer's part number of each components and trace it back from your approved manufacturer's/vendor's list. And from there, you can find out your internal part number and store those under that number with approval of your quality or component engineer ( if you do have). But make sure to double check the manufacturing date of the components and if you have procedure on how many years you have to store them. Otherwise you can sell them to companies that sponsor "hard to find components," or send them to your engineering department, they can use them for their testing.

 

[Jim Howe]

testing old electronic parts

In the past we had to perform testing of the parts. Any test we could not perform was sub-contracted. These test also included solderability testing. Whatever the part numbers, there exist, a specification upon which the part was manufactured and tested. In my opinion, if your intent is to use these parts to satisfy customer requirements then you must be able to stand behind them. You may find, however, that the expense and record keeping is prohibitive. In many cases we simply threw them out and performed retest only for high dollar items. Resistors, capacitors, etc. may not be worth it if you consider the retest cost and liability.

 

[Mike S.]

b) Yes we have some contracts that require traceabiltiy
QUOTE]

For these contracts, the answer, is no, you can't use them.

For contracts that do not require traceability, you'd have to determine if it was economically worth the risk.