Distributor Classification

Octopart classifies distributors into three buckets:

• Authorized Distributors
• Non-Authorized Stocking Distributors
• Non-Authorized Dealers

This page explains the difference between them and methods to filter by Authorized Distributor in the Nexar API.

As a general rule of thumb, if an authorized source is available, you should buy from them.

★ Authorized Distributors

Distributors marked with a gold star (★) are members of the ECIA (Electronic Components Industry Association) or are authorized by the manufacturer to sell their products (or both). 

The ECIA provides good guidelines, but for a distributor to be a member of the ECIA, just greater than 50% of their revenues must come from selling components from their authorized lines.

This means an ECIA member can sell non-authorized products, as long as it’s not from a manufacturer on their published line card. 

We recommend double-checking that the manufacturers are authorizing the distributors you buy from. In some cases, Octopart may incorrectly designate a distributor as authorized since they are an ECIA member, but that particular manufacturer does not actually authorize them.

If you spot a distributor incorrectly listed as authorized, please email us at [email protected]  or [email protected]

☆ Non-Authorized Stocking Distributors

Distributors with an empty star (☆ ) do not have a legal agreement with the manufacturer to sell their products. These distributors have acquired components from various channels, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), contract manufacturers (CMs), and others. The stock is often unused excess inventory.

Non-authorized stocking distributors play an important role in the supply chain when components cannot be obtained from the authorized channel. This is often the case when a component becomes obsolete.

The ERAI is a privately owned organization that monitors this channel and can help you mitigate risk.

If you spot a distributor incorrectly listed as a non-authorized stocking distributor please email us at [email protected]  or [email protected].

☆ Non-Authorized Dealers

Non-authorized dealers do not have stock in the component but can procure it elsewhere. Often called brokers, they specialize in locating hard-to-find parts. Non-authorized dealers will only show up in Octopart search when no authorized distributors or non-authorized stocking distributors have stock for immediate sale (no stock found).

The ERAI is a privately owned organization that monitors this channel and can help you mitigate risk.

If you spot a distributor incorrectly listed as a non-authorized stocking distributor please email us at [email protected]  or [email protected].

Using the Nexar API, you can use the field isAuthorized to check for authorization. If a distributor is authorized, it will be flagged as true.  

query authorizedDistributor {
  supSearch(q: "47948-0001", limit: 10) {
    hits
    results {
      part {
        name
        sellers {
          company {
            name
          }
          isAuthorized
        }
      }
    }
  }
}