Preventing a Counterfeit Component Supply Chain Breach
Consumer Electronics Brand · 1 month (audit + corrective action + verification)
Founder & CEO, Tetra Inspection
The Challenge
An electronics brand sourcing Bluetooth speakers from a factory in Dongguan, China noticed inconsistent battery performance — some units showing 30% lower runtime than specified. The brand suspected a component quality issue but could not identify the root cause remotely. Approximately 15,000 units were in production with the potentially compromised batteries.
The Solution
Tetra conducted a factory audit with a specific focus on component sourcing and incoming material quality control. Our audit team performed voltmeter and discharge testing on battery cells and cross-referenced batch codes with the original manufacturer. The investigation confirmed the factory had quietly switched to counterfeit battery cells — relabeled units from an unauthorized source with no UL or IEC 62133 certification. Tetra then implemented an ongoing incoming component verification program to prevent recurrence.
The Results
15,000
Units Protected
Prevented the shipment of 15,000 units with uncertified batteries, avoiding potential overheating incidents and lithium battery shipping violations.
Confirmed
Counterfeit Components Found
Battery cells were confirmed counterfeit — relabeled units with no UL or IEC 62133 certification from an unauthorized source.
Millions
Liability Exposure Avoided
Averted potential product liability from overheating incidents, shipping regulation violations, and brand damage.
“We had no idea our factory had switched suppliers behind our back. Tetra's audit uncovered the counterfeit batteries and gave us the evidence we needed to hold the factory accountable.”
— Consumer Electronics Brand
Services Used
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