GUIDELINES FOR USER NOTIFICATION
OF PRODUCT/PROCESS CHANGES BY
SEMICONDUCTOR SUPPLIERS
(From Council Ballot JCB-93-66, formulated under the cognizance of JC-14.4 Committee on Quality System Standardization)
1.PURPOSE
This standard establishes procedures for notifying semiconductor users of product and process Changes made by semiconductor suppliers
2.Scope
2.1 Applicable Users
(a) Semiconductor Suppliers including all suppliers subcontractors
(b) Semiconductor Distributors
(C) Semiconductor Users
2.2 Applicable Part Types
Includes but is not limited to discrete semiconductors,integrated circuits,hybrid microcircuits and thin-film passive devices.
3.DEFINITIONS
3.1 Form
The visual appearance or bill of Material including color, marking, and surface finish.
3.2 Fit
The external dimensions and associated tolerances.
3.3 Function
The electrical, mechanical, thermal, quality,and reliability performance characteristics.
3.4 Quality
The ability of the product to perform a required function upon arrived e.g. time zero
The result of tests or procedures that indicate conformance requirements
3.5 Reliability
The probability of continued operation over time
3.6 Product or Process Change Notice (PCN)
A document sent to users describing product or process changes.
3.7 User Profile
The user’s unique product application conditions and/or notification requirements that will effect the supplier’s PCN methodology. If a user expresses no unique notification attributes, the supplier’s standard PCN system shall apply.
4.GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
4.1 Procedure
A written agreement between the supplier and user take precedence over the criteria defined by this publication
4.2 Document Control
Each supplier shall maintain a controlled specification(s) that defines the procedures for notifying users of product and process changes as required. The criteria used to classify changes shall also be defined in a controlled specification(s).
4.3 PCN System
The following minimum elements must be included in the supplier’s documented PCN procedure.
a) Method of identifying and documenting the user's unique PCN requirements.(Section 7)
b) Definition and classification of proposed changes. (Note: This could be a reference to a separate controlled document, e.g., Engineering Change Notice.)
c) Standard Notification Timing - it is recommended that the user be allowed a minimum of 90 days notification before receiving changed product. However, shipment may occur prior to the 90 days if approved by the user.
d) Deliverables to user - contents of change notification.(section 6)
e)Document PCN delivery to the user
f) Record Retention (section 8)
g) Method of user approval
5.PROCEDURE
a) Develop user profile(section 7)
b) Describe proposed Change
c) Evaluate Proposed Change
d)Determine whether the change(s) affects form, fit, function, quality, or reliability
5.1 Classify Changes(s)
The proposed change should be classified by one of the categories shown below. Each supplier shall include in their internal PCN specifications expanded definitions and/or example of the below categories. (See Appendix of examples).
a) Major-change impacts form, fit, function, quality, or reliability,and users should be notified.
b) Minor-change does not impact form, fit, function, quality, or reliability.Notification of minor changes may not occur based on internal requirements and user specified requirements.
5.2 User Notification
a) Identify affected customers
b) Determine notification per supplier standard criteria or user profile (Section 7)
6. PRODUCT AND PROCESS CHANGE NOTIFICATION CONTENT
The following are guidelines for PCN content including a list of optional data that may be helpful in understanding the user needs. Two categories are discussed: Advance Notification and Standard Notification.
6.1 Adance Notification
The supplier may determined to send out advance Notifications of a potential change for the purpose of communication and soliciting input from the users. Advance notification requirements shall be determined either by the supplier of if specified by the user, included in the user profile.
6.1.1 Recommended Information
(a) Product Identification(e.g., supplier part number(s),affected product lines including specific package types, product family).