Component Lifecycle Status in BOM Management
1 resources tagged with "Lifecycle"
Lifecycle status (Active, NRND, Last-Time-Buy, EOL, Obsolete) is the column most first-time importers leave off their BOM, and it is the one that quietly kills a production run. When you source from China, distributors and factories will happily quote an NRND or EOL part without flagging it, then substitute an unverified equivalent mid-run. A clean BOM tracks MPN, lifecycle status, and an approved vendor list (AVL) so substitutions are decisions, not surprises.
Lifecycle status tells you how long a manufacturer plans to keep making a part. The pitfall in China sourcing is the 'generic spec' line item (e.g. '0.1uF 0603') that hides an EOL MPN underneath, so always pin the manufacturer part number and check its lifecycle on the manufacturer or a major distributor before locking the BOM.
Wiki (1)
FAQ
Where do I check a component's lifecycle status?
Check the manufacturer's product page or a major distributor (Digi-Key, Mouser, LCSC) which list Active/NRND/Obsolete flags. Cross-check the exact MPN, not a generic description, since the description alone won't reveal an EOL part.
What does NRND mean for my order?
NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs) means the part still ships but the maker is steering you off it. It's usable for a current run but risky for long-term production, so plan a redesign or last-time buy.
How do I stop a factory from swapping an EOL part?
Lock the MPN and AVL in the BOM, require written approval for any substitution, and verify incoming parts by date code and markings during inspection rather than trusting the line description.
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