12.2 Reclaimed Component Traceability

Outline

Reclaimed components must be fully traceable through documented linkage to their source assembly, reclamation process, evaluation and testing (if performed), and final disposition, with records retained per contractual and quality management requirements and not reliant solely on physical marking.

Procedure

Comprehensive documentation is essential to maintain full traceability of reclaimed components and to preserve confidence in their subsequent use. Records shall clearly link each reclaimed component to the original source assembly, including part number, revision level (if available), date code or lot code (when present), and work order or traveler identification.

Documentation shall identify the specific reclamation procedure performed, including removal method, handling controls, cleaning processes, and any reconditioning steps such as retinning, reballing, or lead straightening. 

Where evaluation or testing is performed, the documented record shall include the test method, acceptance criteria, and complete test results. Final disposition shall be recorded, indicating whether the component is approved for reuse, restricted use, returned, retained for failure analysis, or scrapped. 

Record retention shall comply with applicable contractual, regulatory, and quality management system requirements. Documentation shall be maintained in a controlled format that ensures retrieval, auditability, and protection from alteration. Traceability shall not rely solely on physical marking applied to the component; instead, physical identification shall function as a supplemental control tied directly to controlled documentation. This layered approach ensures accountability, supports audit readiness, mitigates risk of commingling, and preserves the integrity of reclaimed component reuse decisions. 

Images

Reclaimed component laser marked with [RC] to induicate reclaimed component.