Our Service Levels
Princeps has developed and improved its range of service levels since 2010. The purpose of each level is to provide a specific approach for our different types of clients.
The range packages up trusted, secure sourcing and supply chain expertise with test, inspection and quality management processes. So, whether your application and industry sector is industrial or commercial, or you require the most rigorous, certified and documented chain of custody and counterfeit avoidance needed by aerospace and other hi-rel sectors, Princeps has an offering that will suit your needs.
Our core service offering consists of four levels:
Princeps Prime
For industrial and commercial customers, Prime provides manufacturer authorised components sourced from the OCM or authorised distributors, an alternative to franchised distribution.
Princeps Assure
When parts can only be found on the open market, Assure puts them through an 80+ step inspection process including X-Ray, XRF and high-power microscopy to guard against counterfeits.
Princeps Prime +
For aerospace, defence and other hi-rel sectors, Prime + guarantees components are sourced from the original component manufacturer or authorised distributors, with full documented traceability back to the OCM.
Princeps Assure +
Where traceable sources aren't available for hi-rel applications, the Assure + AS6081, ISO 17025-certified service uses bespoke, risk-based test and inspection plans to mitigate the threat of counterfeit components sourced from the open market.
In addition, we've recently developed ASSURE + into three tiers, providing a greater level of customisation to our service levels:
Assure + Standard
Targeted screening and verification designed to provide rapid risk triage. This level focuses on key inspection techniques to quickly identify potential anomalies and determine whether further analytical testing is required.
Assure + Advanced (AS6081)
Inspection and test activities aligned with AS6081 counterfeit mitigation requirements, providing a more comprehensive level of validation using established industry methods.
Assure + Forensic (ISO17025)
Full ISO 17025 accredited laboratory testing aligned with AS6171 methodologies, delivering deeper analytical and material-level validation where programme risk requires the highest level of assurance.
Discuss your Project Requirements Here
If you are unsure of the service level that suits your organisation or requirement, simply contact our team.
For Aerospace and Hi-Rel
Princeps PRIME +
Aerospace traceability solutions for defence, aerospace, transportation, medical and other hi-rel applications. Princeps PRIME+ provides a documented chain of custody from the manufacturer through to end user:
- Sourced ONLY from the OCM (original component manufacturer) or one of their authorised distributors
- Manufacturer chain of custody and traceability documentation supplied with goods
- Full traceability to OCM
- Test, inspection and traceability records retained for 15 years minimum
Discuss your Project Requirements Here
If you are working in the aerospace, defence or security sectors, you will already be aware of the additional requirements that the latest AS9100D revision places on organisations to combat the threat of counterfeit components.
When you purchase components under our Princeps PRIME+ service, you can be certain that the parts have been sourced only from the original component manufacturer (OCM) or from one of their current approved distributors. And the goods will be delivered to you with full traceability back to the OCM – something that many manufacturer-authorised sources may be unable or unwilling to provide.
Princeps PRIME+ provides the perfect solution for secure, traceable sourcing of EEE parts for demanding aerospace and hi-rel sectors, enabling you to take advantage of price variations that exist within the global supply chain, while ensuring any counterfeit threats are safely mitigated with full traceability.
If you would like to discuss the options available to you for hi-rel applications, please call us or email sales@princeps.co.uk
Princeps ASSURE +
Comprehensive, bespoke, certified test plans, developed with risk-based thinking.
Sometimes there is no option other than to use the open market for obsolete or parts that aren't readily available from traceable sources. Mitigate the risks and satisfy the most demanding quality requirements by using Princeps ASSURE+ and our AS6081-certified, ISO17025 accredited Counterfeit Avoidance Program.
- Supplier risk assessment based on ARP6178
- Inspection and test plan created using AS6171 and SAE Counterfeit Defect Coverage Tool
- Test and inspection reports sent with goods
- Test, inspection and traceability records retained for 15 years minimum
Discuss your Project Requirements Here
The Counterfeit Avoidance Program at Princeps has been awarded AS6081 certification by NQA-USA, supported by an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory environment covering AS6171 test methods.
ASSURE+ is our structured open-market assurance programme, developed to support customers procuring electronic components outside of the manufacturer's authorised supply chain. As industry requirements continue to evolve—particularly with increasing adoption of AS6081 alongside AS5553—ASSURE+ provides a practical, compliant route to managing counterfeit risk in high-reliability applications.
AS6081 defines the system-level requirements for distributors operating in the open market. At Princeps, this is underpinned by laboratory-based verification. Our ISO/IEC 17025 accredited processes ensure that testing is conducted in a controlled, impartial and repeatable manner, with methods aligned to AS6171 and delivered with full technical evidence.
For organisations sourcing obsolete, allocated or otherwise hard-to-find components, assurance is no longer optional. Customers increasingly expect not just compliance, but demonstrable evidence that risk has been properly assessed and mitigated.
Princeps combines AS6081 process control with risk-based test planning derived from AS6171 and the SAE Counterfeit Defect Coverage Tool. This enables the development of optimised inspection and test sequences tailored to the specific component, application and risk profile.
Critically, testing is not theoretical. AS6171-aligned methods are performed within our ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory environment, ensuring results are reliable, repeatable and defensible across aerospace, defence and other high-reliability sectors.
Each ASSURE+ order is tailored to the individual part and end-use application. Where required, test plans can be further adapted to meet specific customer, contractual or programme-driven requirements.
The risk posed by counterfeit and fraudulent components cannot be overstated. ASSURE+ is designed to provide a proportionate, evidence-led response, combining system control, accredited testing and technical insight to support confident procurement in complex supply-chain conditions.
To discuss your requirements or explore how Princeps can support your counterfeit mitigation obligations, please contact the team or email sales@princeps.co.uk
We have developed the Assure + service into three tiers, to offer an additional level of support to our clients, designed to align cost, risk and technical assurance.
Backed by our ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory, the entire Assure + service level structure ensures that whether the requirement is commercial or mission-critical, we deliver the appropriate level of assurance.
Assure + Standard
Targeted screening and verification designed to provide rapid risk triage. This level focuses on key inspection techniques to quickly identify potential anomalies and determine whether further analytical testing is required.
Assure + Advanced (AS6081)
Inspection and test activities aligned with AS6081 counterfeit mitigation requirements, providing a more comprehensive level of validation using established industry methods.
Assure + Forensic (ISO17025)
Full ISO 17025 accredited laboratory testing aligned with AS6171 methodologies, delivering deeper analytical and material-level validation where programme risk requires the highest level of assurance.
If you are unsure of the service level that suits your organisation or requirement, simply contact our team.
For Industrial and Commercial
Princeps PRIME
If you're relying on UK franchised distribution for your current sourcing, then Princeps PRIME will save you money, time and frustration.
Princeps PRIME brings you manufacturer-authorised product without the hassle of dealing with franchised distributors:
- Sourced ONLY from the OCM (original component manufacturer) or one of their authorised distributors
- Traceability to manufacturer-authorised source
- Test, inspection and traceability records retained for 15 years minimum
Discuss your Project Requirements Here
If you're frustrated with poor service from franchised distribution – and their "computer says no" attitude – then you should consider our Princeps PRIME service.
Princeps PRIME orders are sourced either direct from the original component manufacturer (OCM) or from one of their current authorised distributors.
Utilising our global sourcing expertise and selecting from our database of thousands of manufacturer-authorised sources, we can take advantage of global pricing variations to safely achieve cost efficiencies without compromising on quality.
Once the stock has been secured, Princeps can offer a full range of delivery options, including buffer stock holding, kanban and blanket orders tailored to your exact requirements.
If you would like to discuss the options available to you for current product, please call us or email sales@princeps.co.uk
Princeps ASSURE
The open market for EEE parts can be a scary place, if you're not used to navigating its pitfalls and complexities.
Shield yourself with our expertise and Princeps ASSURE. Supplier risk assessment, Assure 80+ Step Inspection Process, X-Ray and XRF to protect you as standard.
- Sourced from open/grey market
- Supplier risk assessment based on ARP6178
- 80+ Step Inspection Process covering High Power Microscopy, X-Ray, XRF and Solvent Tests
- Test, inspection and traceability records retained for 15 years minimum
Discuss your Project Requirements Here
When you can't find the parts you need from manufacturer-authorised sources, the open market can provide the only source to keep your production lines running but it can be a scary place.
Princeps ASSURE is our service for the supply of such parts.
Parts supplied under our Princeps ASSURE service level offering are guaranteed to have been put through a robust test and inspection process incorporating a combination of techniques that can include High power microscopy, Solvent Tests, X-Ray, XRF, and, when required, Decapsulation, Parametric Electrical Tests and IR Spectroscopy.
Our Princeps ASSURE service generates a product information pack that is held for all consignments and can be viewed under our open book policy.
Princeps ASSURE can incorporate further testing to meet specific requirements, such as solderability and electrical parametric tests. We will discuss your exact requirements at the enquiry stage.
If you would like to discuss the options available to you for obsolete and hard-to-find parts, please call us or email sales@princeps.co.uk
Streamlined Supply Chain Solutions
Our range of Supply Chain and Component Sourcing services include:
Traceability
Safe, traceable sourcing of currently available EEE components. Order traceable current parts via a variety of ordering and delivery models including blanket, call off and KANBAN.
Sourcing
Rely on our knowledge & expertise to securely source the parts you need. Secure sourcing for hard-to-find parts including those that are obsolete.
Obsolescence
Continuity planning for obsolescence & open market sourcing of obsolete parts. Obsolescence management and mitigation, BOM monitoring and AS6081 releases, helping avoid long term supply concerns.
Tail Management
Rationalise a range of suppliers to a single point of contact. Vendor tail reduction for supply chain simplification and giving you a single point of contact for EEE sourcing and procurement.
Kitting
Managed solution including sourcing and traceability. Simplify production with kitting solutions & reduce hidden costs, streamlining manufacturing and addresses counterfeit mitigation.