Components Are Going EOL Without Product Change Notifications at Alarming Rates

Article Highlights:

• In 2025, over 620,000 electronic parts were discontinued by manufacturers. For context, that figure represents a jump of 150,000 parts—or nearly a full third—from EOL figures from just two years ago. 
• Unfortunately, in our analysis of EOL events in 2025 and accompanying product change notifications (PCNs) from manufacturers, we found a somewhat astonishing gap. Of all the 600,000-plus electronic components that went obsolete in 2025, a majority were not accompanied by a PCN from the manufacturer.
• The absence of PCNs for many of the electronic components that were discontinued in 2025 introduces several operational risks for engineering teams. In almost every risk that could arise, the potential consequences are production shutdowns and other ruptures in manufacturing continuity.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of electronic components go obsolete. Component obsolescence was particularly pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic: in 2021, nearly 530,000 parts reached end-of-life, and the following year that figure jumped to over 750,000. Obsolescence trends slowed somewhat following the pandemic, with around 470,000 parts being discontinued in 2023. 

But the industry-wide figures from 2025 illustrate just how dynamic and unpredictable the electronics supply chain continues to be. Just when we thought it was possible that EOL figures were going to plateau for a few years, they changed—dramatically—yet again.

Component Obsolescence Events in 2025

The number of electronic components that went obsolete in 2025 illustrates how rapidly the electronics industry continues to evolve. Product lifecycles are shrinking as semiconductor manufacturers release newer technologies, discontinue legacy components, and work to address the demands of new customers and industries at an accelerating pace.

In 2025, over 620,000 electronic parts were discontinued by manufacturers. For context, that figure represents a jump of 150,000 parts—or nearly a full third—from the EOL figures just two years ago. And while it may not have reached the stunning peaks of the COVID era, when three-quarters of a million parts were discontinued in 2022, it’s still a substantial figure. 

Each of these discontinued components represents a potential disruption somewhere within the global electronics ecosystem. Whether it’s a consumer electronics original equipment manufacturer (OEM), a supplier of automotive subsystems, or a chipmaker, every component obsolescence event is being felt by businesses. 

Component Obsolescence: The PCN Problem

It’s one thing for manufacturers to discontinue over 600,000 electronic components. OEMs and other businesses understand how prevalent a threat obsolescence is, and most of them build out risk management frameworks accordingly. What companies are significantly less prepared for, however, is when suppliers obsolete parts without any prior notifications to their customers. 

Unfortunately, in our analysis of EOL events in 2025 and accompanying product change notifications (PCNs) from manufacturers, we found a somewhat astonishing gap. Of all the 600,000-plus electronic components that went obsolete in 2025, a majority were not accompanied by a PCN from the manufacturer.

That lack of notification creates a major blind spot for engineers, procurement teams, and manufacturers who depend on this level of communication so that they can adjust, adapt, and respond by replacing the EOL component. 

What companies are significantly less prepared for, however, is when suppliers obsolete parts without any prior notifications to their customers. 

• ‍Total components that went obsolete in 2025: 621,909
  

• Parts discontinued that were accompanied by a manufacturer product change notification: 298,623
  
  
• Parts discontinued without a product change notification: 323,286

In other words, more than half—52%, to be exact—of all EOL events in 2025 were not communicated through a manufacturer PCN. 

For organizations that rely on long-term product designs, this recurring absence of supply chain communication is a significant problem. A PCN serves as an early warning system, giving companies time to prepare for discontinuation. Without it, engineers and manufacturers may only learn about an obsolescence event after inventory disappears from the market. At that point, the organization is already reacting to an impending crisis rather than carefully, strategically planning for a rational transition.

Why Missing Product Change Notifications Create Major Problems for Engineers

The absence of PCNs for many of the electronic components that were discontinued in 2025 introduces several operational risks for engineering teams. In almost every risk outlined here, the potential consequences are production shutdowns and other ruptures in manufacturing continuity.

Sudden Design Disruptions

Engineers typically design products using components they expect will continue to be available for many years. So when electronic components disappear without warning—because they were discontinued without any PCN issuance in advance—those designs can instantly become unsustainable.

If a key integrated circuit, capacitor, or microcontroller is sent into EOL unexpectedly, sourcing teams will need to scramble to find viable replacements. And when that’s not possible—a high likelihood with an abrupt, completely unexpected obsolescence event—engineers may need to redesign subsystems.

Even seemingly minor differences—such as voltage tolerances, pin configurations, or package sizes—can require a host of different engineering steps that would not have necessarily been required if a PCN had been issued. 

• PCB redesigns
  
  
• Firmware updates
  
  
• Thermal reanalysis
  
  
• Compatibility testing
  

Redesign efforts like these can take months and delay product releases or maintenance programs.

Last-Time-Buy Opportunities Are Missed

When manufacturers follow proper lifecycle communication practices, a PCN usually includes a last-time buy (LTB) window. This LTB gives sourcing and procurement professionals the opportunity to stockpile inventory before the component disappears from production. A last-time buy can be a critical way to buy time and create a robust buffer that will stave off the possibility of a suspension to production due to component availability issues. 

But when electronic components are discontinued without a PCN, companies often lose the opportunity to execute this strategic procurement measure. As a result, instead of ordering directly from authorized suppliers, organizations are forced to search secondary markets for remaining inventory.

This introduces additional complications, including more expensive components, the risk of counterfeits, and issues with verification and qualification. Simply put, when PCNs are not issued, procurement teams are at a serious disadvantage when it comes to planning sourcing strategies effectively.

Compliance and Certification Challenges

Unexpected obsolescence also creates regulatory and certification challenges. Many products must meet strict compliance standards before entering the market. Electronic components are subject to rigorous environmental regulations, including the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), and a host of new PFAS directives that are emerging in 2026 and beyond. 

These regulatory requirements make replacing parts that are discontinued without forewarning especially difficult. Any new potential crosses will likely require a number of steps:

• New qualification testing
  
  
• Regulatory recertification
  
  
• Safety validation
  
  
• Performance verification
  

In sectors such as aerospace or medical devices—where safety and reliability standards are especially high—these processes can take weeks or months. 

Production Interruptions

Finally, there’s the worst-case scenario that all engineers, sourcing teams, and OEMs are doing everything in their power to avoid: a production shutdown. When last-time buys, crosses, alternative suppliers, and other obsolescence management measures fail, businesses are faced with the prospect of having to halt or reduce production on their goods. Suffice it to say, parts that enter obsolescence without an accompanying PCN increase the chances of this disastrous scenario coming to pass. And these interruptions can cost manufacturers hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars in lost production time.

When last-time buys, crosses, alternative suppliers, and other obsolescence management measures fail, businesses are faced with the prospect of having to halt or reduce production on their goods.

Product Change Notifications that Neglect JEDEC Standards

Industry standards developed by the Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC) are designed to reduce all the risks discussed above. These standards outline how manufacturers should communicate lifecycle changes, including discontinuations.

Two of the most widely accepted guidelines are JEDEC Standard 46, which covers product change notifications, and JEDEC Standard 48, which covers product discontinuance notifications. These frameworks recommend that manufacturers provide clear advance notice before discontinuing components, among other recommendations for communicating product changes to customers. 

When companies follow these standards, engineers can prepare for upcoming changes and avoid emergency redesigns, and sourcing and procurement teams can work within their supply chains to secure crosses when necessary. Unfortunately, the JEDEC standards are often not met. Our data found that in 2025, slightly over a quarter of all PCNs were in compliance with JEDEC standards. That means that nearly 75% of the manufacturer part numbers (MPNs) we analyzed were out of compliance with the organization’s standards. 

Manage EOL Risks With Professional Expertise

Given the degree to which electronic component obsolescence continues to rise, organizations have no choice but to assume that, in the years to come, 600,000 or even 700,000 parts will be discontinued by manufacturers every year. 

To mitigate these risks—along with the reality that OEMs often don’t have the luxury of a product change notification—companies need to have a strong supply chain risk management program in place. SCRM platform Z2 offers industry-leading obsolescence management for businesses grappling with these issues in the electronic supply chain. 

• Lifecycle Forecasting: Z2 provides lifecycle forecasts for every part in its database. These forecasts utilize a sophisticated algorithm that takes into account critical factors like market demand, total manufacturing sites, technology roadmaps, and part activity to produce an effective picture of the time-to-EOL for electronic components. 

• Crosses: Parts that have crosses in place are much less likely to trigger disruptions if they are discontinued. Every component in Z2’s parts database includes a crosses tab that shows users a list of potential cross-references. These alternatives are classified into three different tiers based on the closeness of the match (using form, fit, and function criteria).

• PCN Management: For those parts that do receive a product change notification communicating discontinuance, Z2 provides a comprehensive PCN workflow tool that classifies and prioritizes PCNs based on urgency. The software’s workflow management allows businesses to assign tasks to multiple teams, including procurement, engineering, and compliance, facilitating a cross-functional approach to obsolescence management.

To learn more about Z2 and how it can help companies manage PCNs and effectively mitigate unforeseen obsolescence events, identify, schedule a free trial with one of our product experts.