Counterfeit and Suspect Material Prevention Policy

This policy applies to all raw materials (bar, wire and sections), bought-in components such as screws, washers and seals supplied in kits, and outsourced services such as plating and heat treatment that become part of our products.

Our approach follows the principles of SAE AS6174 (counterfeit and fraudulent materiel) as they apply to a manufacturer of machined components.

Materials and components are purchased only from mills, manufacturers or their authorised distributors on our approved supplier list. Purchases from unauthorised brokers or unknown sources are not permitted without documented approval and additional verification.

Every lot of raw material must be supported by a mill test certificate stating grade, chemical composition and heat number. Heat and batch numbers are carried through production and appear on our dispatch documentation, so any part can be traced back to its material.

Incoming material is checked against its certificate and purchase order: grade, dimensions, markings and quantity. Where available, chemical composition is verified by spectrometer or XRF analysis on a sampling basis, and on every lot from a new source.

Plating thickness and finish from outsourced finishing partners are verified on return.

Material or components that cannot be verified, show inconsistent markings or certificates, or fail verification are treated as suspect. They are immediately identified, quarantined and kept out of production until investigated.

Confirmed counterfeit or fraudulent material is never returned to the supplier for credit where it could re-enter the supply chain. It is retained or destroyed under control, and the affected customers and, where appropriate, the relevant authorities are informed.

Purchasing, stores and inspection staff are trained to recognise signs of counterfeit or misrepresented material.

Suppliers are required to supply genuine, traceable material, to flow these requirements down to their own suppliers, and to notify us immediately if they become aware of counterfeit or suspect material they may have supplied.

This policy is reviewed annually as part of our management review.