ALPHA-electronics Earns IPC J-STD-001 and IPC-A-610 QML Certification

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IPC's Validation Services Program has awarded an IPC J-STD-001 and IPC-A-610 Qualified Manufacturers Listing (QML) to ALPHA-electronics, an ISO9001 and ISO13485 certified EMS-based company in Europe. Following an initial audit by HYTEK, an IPC auditing partner in Europe, Alpha-electronics became the first European company to successfully complete an intensive audit, based on two of IPC's foremost standards: IPC J-STD-001, Requirements for Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies and IPC-A-610, Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies.

For many years, ALPHA-electronics utilized both IPC J-STD-001 and IPC-A-610 for specification of materials, processes and requirements. Moving forward with the QML certification allowed ALPHA-electronics to tighten up their processes and products. Their quality management system was reviewed and updated accordingly to ensure traceability from relevant operational procedures to requirements in J-STD-001.

In early June, the preparations were completed, and by mid-June, IPC in collaboration with HYTEK, performed a formal audit of ALPHA-electronics. Despite a determined effort in the preparations, a few discrepancies were found. However, the deviations were quickly corrected and ALPHA-electronics was certified in accordance with IPC J-STD-001 and IPC-A-610.

ALPHA-electronics met or exceeded the requirements for the electronics industry's most rigorous classification, Class 3, which is intended for high-performance electronics assemblies. As a result, the company is now listed as an IPC-trusted source capable of manufacturing in accordance with industry best practices. ALPHA-electronics and other trusted sources of supply can be found on IPC's QML/QPL (Qualified Product Listing) database here.

“These direct and traceable references from the generic ISO standards to operational requirements in J-STD-001, including requirements for process control, were fundamental to us as we updated our quality management system, specifically to ISO13485,” said Kim Engmark, administrative director/CEO of ALPHA-electronics.

IPC's Validations Services QPL/QML Program was developed to promote supply chain verification. It also provides auditing and certification of electronics companies' products, and identifies processes which conform to IPC standards.

"Different from other audit programs, IPC's Validation Services Programs uniquely provides technical and in-depth assessments of products and processes in accordance with IPC standards," said Randy Cherry, IPC director of Validation Services. "We are pleased to recognize ALPHA-electronics as the first European company to become a member of IPC's network of trusted QML suppliers."