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Are you interested in IDEA membership for your business? If you are an Independent Distributor, OEM, OCM, EMS, Test Services Company, Service Provider, or IPSE, IDEA invites you to review the different types of IDEA memberships available and determine which one is most appropriate for your company. Please keep in mind that regardless of which level you choose, you will be required to submit the following items contained within the IDEA Membership Application Packet:

A completed "Membership Application Form"
A completed "Membership Waiver Agreement"
A completed "IDEA Share Program Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreement (NDA)"
A completed "Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy and Agreement"
A completed "IDEA Code of Ethics Agreement"
A completed "Policy for Any Use of the IDEA Logo"
At least one completed "IDEA-ICE-3000 Exam Application" for each ship-to-customer location

Request your application packet at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Membership Types

Below you will find a listing of the different types of IDEA memberships available to help you determine which is most appropriate for your company. Please click on each type to access its application form.

You may also request a complete set of membership application documents at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

General Membership

This category consists of companies whose main source of income is the reselling of electrical components. Dues for General Membership are broken down based upon the size of your company:

For a company with 1-19 employees, the annual membership fee is $1,500.
For a company with 20-49 employees, the annual membership fee $3,750.
For a company with 50+ employees, the annual membership fee is $7,500.

IDEA General Membership Requirements

Company must be in business for at least three years or be owned by a parent company that has been in business for at least three years.
Company must be ISO 9001 certified by a registrar that is recognized by an accreditation body that is identified and accepted by IAF.
Company must be certified to ANSI/ESD S20.20 by an ESDA certified registrar.
Company must provide objective evidence of Product Liability Insurance at a minimum of $1,000,000 per incident and $2,000,000 aggregate annually.
Company must provide objective evidence via a copy of its Quality Manual that IDEA-STD-1010 is part of the company’s inspection program and documented as such in their Quality Management System.
Company must provide objective evidence (copy of Quality Management System policy/procedure) of Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL) management program documented in QMS and training program.
Company through formal application must be approved by a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors in quorum at the time of the vote. Company must not have any unresolved issues that the voting quorum considers inconsistent with IDEA’s mission and Code of Ethics. Such issues include but are not limited to credit or NSF issues, counterfeiting parts issues, or poor business practices. At the Board of Directors’ discretion, any unresolved issues may require a written explanation followed by a subsequent review by the IDEA Board.
Company must agree to abide by the IDEA Code of Ethics through signature by a member of executive management. Application will include a copy of the IDEA Code of Ethics and a place for the company representative to sign on behalf of their company.
Company must complete at least one IDEA-ICE-3000 Inspector Certification for each ship-to-customer location, including third-party inspection sites. Third-party inspection candidates can only be certified under the name of the IDEA Member Company under which certification is achieved. Thereafter, the certification, is non-transferable, and may not be advertised by the third party. Upon approval of membership by the Board of Directors, a new Member Company has forty-five (45) days to attain at least one Inspector Certification for each ship-to-customer location (including third-party inspection sites) in order to be accepted into IDEA membership. If a ship-to-customer location loses its IDEA-ICE-3000 Certified Inspector for any reason, the Member Company must notify the IDEA Executive Director about the situation within five (5) days in writing. If the Member Company has no other IDEA-ICE-3000 Certified Inspectors at that ship-to-customer location, they must certify a replacement Inspector within forty-five (45) days or be subject to IDEA membership revocation.
Company must possess the following minimum working equipment or capability:
a. Digital camera
b. Adequately lit microscopy
c. Magnifiers and/or eye loupe
d. Vacuum pen
e. Bar code Scanner
f. Calipers
g. Micrometers
h. Vacuum sealer to seal humidity barrier bags

Introduction to IDEA’s Code of Ethics

The Independent Distributors of Electronics Association (IDEA) is a non-profit trade association representing high quality and ethically oriented independent distributors of electronic components. The purpose of IDEA is to promote the independent distribution industry through a media advocacy campaign; to improve the quality of products and services through a quality certification program, educational seminars, and conferences; and to promote the study, development, and implementation of techniques and methods designed to improve the business of independent distributors.

IDEA works to bring our message to the industry via industry speaking engagements, formal committees as well as informal interaction with industry stakeholders and various media publications. The name and logo for IDEA stands for the highest levels of quality, standards, and professionalism, all of which exemplify our membership. The following Code of Ethics is designed to become synonymous with the IDEA name and logo and immediately bring to mind its contents whenever the IDEA logo is present. The Code of Ethics’ primary objective is to establish a standard to which IDEA Members will be held regarding specific business practices.

Please take the time to review the IDEA Code of Ethics, and we encourage you to post it on your website and at each of your business locations. Our website, www.idofea.org, will also proudly post the IDEA Code of Ethics.

The IDEA Board of Directors has determined that the following shall be REQUIREMENTS for all Members of IDEA. This Code of Ethics is subject to continual improvement as authorized by the IDEA Board of Directors.

IDEA Code of Ethics

Membership in the Independent Distributors of Electronics Association (IDEA) is a privilege extended to those organizations who meet the eligibility requirements, and is not a right. Membership may be continued unless the Board of Directors determines that the conduct of a Member has been such, that in the best interests of IDEA, the Member should be suspended or their membership terminated. This Code of Ethics has been duly adopted by the Board of Directors under the authority vested in it by the bylaws of the Independent Distributors of Electronics Association.

The Member will support and be subject to the bylaws of the Independent Distributors of Electronics Association and such amendments, resolutions and policies as may be established.
The Member will conduct commerce in a moral and ethical manner so as to bring no discredit to the Independent Distributors of Electronics Association, nor to diminish the prestige of the membership therein. The Member will make commercially reasonable efforts to ensure all of its employees and representatives will conduct themselves in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws. Any act or behavior that is deemed to be in violation of membership standards, upon review of the Board of Directors, may result in membership revocation.
The Member will employ commercially reasonable efforts to ensure all products it sells have clear title and are free of lien.
The Member will not knowingly misrepresent products. The Member will employ commercially reasonable efforts to ensure truth in advertising.
The Member will give advice to clientele in independent distribution of electronics matters to the best of their ability.
The Member will use the IDEA logo in accordance with the Association's logo use policy.
If a Member is found to breach the Code, that fact may be disclosed to companies or associations inquiring.
If a Formal Inquiry is filed against a Member, resignation will not preclude the Grievance Process and the Ethics Panel's investigation and publication of the results.

Approved and adopted by the IDEA Board of Directors 2009.

Formal Inquiries

A Formal Inquiry Procedure utilizing an IDEA Ethics Panel has been created to moderate and help to resolve disputes should they occur with an IDEA Member during ongoing business. The Panel's findings are primarily intended to ascertain an IDEA Member's status.

Associate Membership

This category consists of companies that offer a service that would be directly relevant to the business of the general members. This would include shipping and packaging services, travel companies, law firms, accountants, ISO or ESD consulting, etc. Dues for Associate Membership are broken down based upon the size of your company:

For a company with 1-19 employees, the annual membership fee is $1,500
For a company with 20-49 employees, the annual membership fee $3,750
For a company with 50+ employees, the annual membership fee is $7,500.

In order to qualify for an IDEA Associate Membership, the following requirements must be met:

Applicant must not have any unresolved issues with industrial associations. This includes credit or NSF issues, counterfeiting parts issues, poor business practices, etc. Any unresolved issue requires a written explanation followed by a review by the IDEA Board.
Company must be in business for at least three years, or be owned by a parent company that has been in business for at least three years.
Each member company shall designate in writing only one person to act as its member representative.
The following materials must be provided with all applications:
a. List of all owners of the company, including full names and direct contact phone numbers
b. Federal Tax ID or Government ID number(s) and date(s) of incorporation
c. Type of company (Distribution, Manufacturing, Accounting, Shipping, etc.)
d. All company locations and phone numbers
e. Proof of product liability insurance coverage (as relevant to services rendered)
f. Any other relevant information such as D&B numbers and certifications

Associate Membership (Test Services Company)

This category consists of companies that offer test services to the electronics industry. Dues for the Test Services Company category of Associate Membership are broken down based upon the size of your company:

For a company with 1-19 employees, the annual membership fee is $1,500
For a company with 20-49 employees, the annual membership fee $3,750
For a company with 50+ employees, the annual membership fee is $7,500.

In order to qualify for an IDEA Associate Membership (Test Services Company), the following requirements must be met:

IDEA Associate Membership (Test Services Company) Requirements

Company must be in business for at least three years or be owned by a parent company that has been in business for at least three years.
Company must be ISO 9001 certified by a registrar that is recognized by an accreditation body that is identified and accepted by IAF.
Company must be certified to ANSI/ESD S20.20 by an ESDA certified registrar.
Company must provide objective evidence of Product Liability Insurance at a minimum of $1,000,000 per incident and $2,000,000 aggregate annually.
Company must provide objective evidence via a copy of its Quality Manual that IDEA-STD-1010 is part of the company’s inspection program and documented as such in their Quality Management System.
Company must provide objective evidence (copy of Quality Management System policy/procedure) of Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL) management program documented in QMS and training program.
Company through formal application must be approved by a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors in quorum at the time of the vote. Company must not have any unresolved issues that the voting quorum considers inconsistent with IDEA’s mission and Code of Ethics. Such issues include but are not limited to credit or NSF issues, counterfeiting parts issues, or poor business practices. At the Board of Directors’ discretion, any unresolved issues may require a written explanation followed by a subsequent review by the IDEA Board.
Company must agree to abide by the IDEA Code of Ethics through signature by a member of executive management. Application will include a copy of the IDEA Code of Ethics and a place for the company representative to sign on behalf of their company.
Company must complete at least one IDEA-ICE-3000 Inspector Certification for each ship-to-customer location, including third-party inspection sites. Third-party inspection candidates can only be certified under the name of the IDEA Member Company under which certification is achieved. Thereafter, the certification, is non-transferable, and may not be advertised by the third party. Upon approval of membership by the Board of Directors, a new Member Company has forty-five (45) days to attain at least one Inspector Certification for each ship-to-customer location (including third-party inspection sites) in order to be accepted into IDEA membership. If a ship-to-customer location loses its IDEA-ICE-3000 Certified Inspector for any reason, the Member Company must notify the IDEA Executive Director about the situation within five (5) days in writing. If the Member Company has no other IDEA-ICE-3000 Certified Inspectors at that ship-to-customer location, they must certify a replacement Inspector within forty-five (45) days or be subject to IDEA membership revocation.
Company must possess the following minimum working equipment or capability:
a. Digital camera
b. Adequately lit microscopy
c. Magnifiers and/or eye loupe
d. Vacuum pen
e. Bar code Scanner
f. Calipers
g. Micrometers
h. Vacuum sealer to seal humidity barrier bags

Introduction to IDEA’s Code of Ethics

IDEA Code of Ethics

The Member will support and be subject to the bylaws of the Independent Distributors of Electronics Association and such amendments, resolutions and policies as may be established.
The Member will conduct commerce in a moral and ethical manner so as to bring no discredit to the Independent Distributors of Electronics Association, nor to diminish the prestige of the membership therein. The Member will make commercially reasonable efforts to ensure all of its employees and representatives will conduct themselves in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws. Any act or behavior that is deemed to be in violation of membership standards, upon review of the Board of Directors, may result in membership revocation.
The Member will employ commercially reasonable efforts to ensure all products it sells have clear title and are free of lien.
The Member will not knowingly misrepresent products. The member will employ commercially reasonable efforts to ensure truth in advertising.
The Member will give advice to clientele in independent distribution of electronics matters to the best of their ability.
The Member will use the IDEA logo in accordance with the Association's logo use policy.
If a Member is found to breach the Code, that fact may be disclosed to companies or associations inquiring.
If an Formal Inquiry is filed against a Member, resignation will not preclude the Formal Inquiry Process and the Ethics Panel's investigation and publication of the results.

Approved and adopted by the IDEA Board of Directors 2009.

Formal Inquiries

Associate Membership (Part Manufacturer)

This category consists of companies that manufacture the electronic components that distributors resell. IDEA welcomes manufacturers as a vital part of the equation in helping to maintain a productive and safe business environment for the benefit of all component users in the marketplace. The annual fee for the Part Manufacturer category of Associate Membership is broken down based upon the size of your company:

For a company with 1-19 employees, the annual membership fee is $1,500.
For a company with 20-49 employees, the annual membership fee $3,750.
For a company with 50+ employees, the annual membership fee is $7,500.

In order to qualify for an IDEA Associate Membership (Part Manufacturer), the following requirements must be met:

Applicant must be in good standing with the companies represented by the members of membership evaluation committee (typically the Board of Directors).
Applicant must not have any unresolved issues with industrial associations. This includes credit or NSF issues, counterfeiting parts issues, poor business practices, etc. Any unresolved issue requires a written explanation followed by a review by the IDEA Board.
Company must be in business for at least one year, or be owned by a parent company that has been in business for at least one year.
Each member company shall designate in writing only one person to act as its member representative.
The following materials must be provided with all applications:
a. List of all owners of the company, including full names and direct contact phone numbers
b. Federal Tax ID or Government ID number(s) and date(s) of incorporation
c. Type of company - Part Manufacturer
d. Major company locations and phone numbers
e. Proof of product liability insurance coverage
f. Any other relevant information such as D&B numbers and certifications other than ISO
Company must be:
a. ISO certified with ESD procedure work instructions in their ISO documents in agreement with ESD standards and be able to provide a copy of the certificate OR
b. ISO certified and possess a separate ESD certification

Associate Membership (OEM/EMS)

This category consists of companies that are Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS). IDEA welcomes OEM and EMS members as a vital part of the equation in helping to maintain a productive and safe business environment for the benefit of all component users in the marketplace. Dues for the OEM/EMS category of Associate Membership is broken down based upon the size of your company:

For a company with 1-19 employees, the annual membership fee is $1,500.
For a company with 20-49 employees, the annual membership fee $3,750.
For a company with 50-299 employees, the annual membership fee is $7,500.
For a company with 300-999 employees, the annual membership fee is $10,000.
For a company with 1,000+ employees, the annual membership fee is $20,000.

In order to qualify for an IDEA Associate Membership (OEM/EMS), the following requirements must be met:

Applicant must be in good standing with the companies represented by the members of membership evaluation committee (typically the Board of Directors).
Applicant must not have any unresolved issues with industrial associations. This includes credit or NSF issues, counterfeiting parts issues, poor business practices, etc. Any unresolved issue requires a written explanation followed by a review by the IDEA Board.
Company must be in business for at least one year, or be owned by a parent company that has been in business for at least one year.
Each member company shall designate in writing only one person to act as its member representative.
The following materials must be provided with all applications:
a. List of all owners of the company, including full names and direct contact phone numbers
b. Federal Tax ID or Government ID number(s) and date(s) of incorporation
c. Type of company - OEM/EMS
d. Major company locations and phone numbers
e. Proof of product liability insurance coverage
f. Any other relevant information such as D&B numbers and certifications other than ISO
Company must be:
a. ISO certified with ESD procedure work instructions in their ISO documents in agreement with ESD standards and be able to provide a copy of the certificate OR
b. ISO certified and possess a separate ESD certification
Company must provide a copy of its most up-to-date substandard parts and suspect counterfeit lists and agree to provide updates on a real-time or as reasonable as possible real-time basis

Associate Membership (IPSE)

This category consists of companies that offer Internet Part Search Engine (IPSE) services to the electronic component purchasing/resellers industry. The annual fee for the IPSE category of Associate Membership is broken down based upon the size of your company:

For a company with 1-19 employees, the annual membership fee is $1,500.
For a company with 20-49 employees, the annual membership fee $3,750.
For a company with 50+ employees, the annual membership fee is $7,500.

In order to qualify for an IDEA Associate Membership (IPSE), the following requirements must be met:

Applicant must not have any unresolved issues with industrial associations. This includes credit or NSF issues, counterfeiting parts issues, poor business practices, etc. Any unresolved issue requires a written explanation followed by a review by the IDEA Board.
Company must be in business for at least one year, or be owned by a parent company that has been in business for at least one year.
Each member company shall designate in writing only one person to act as its member representative.
The following materials must be provided with all applications:
a. List of all owners of the company, including full names and direct contact phone numbers
b. Federal Tax ID or Government ID number(s) and date(s) of incorporation
c. Type of company (Distribution, Manufacturing, Accounting, Shipping, etc.)
d. All company locations and phone numbers
e. Proof of product liability insurance coverage
f. Any other relevant information such as D&B numbers and certifications other than ISO

In addition to the above criteria, all IPSE members must agree to the following code of ethics as relates to the practice of running an IPSE business:

Internet Parts Search Engine (IPSE) Standards

The committee has determined that the following shall be STANDARDS, to be met by all Internet Parts Search Engine Companies as members of IDEA.

Pre-Screening Process:
1. IPSE Companies must require new applicant provide the following:
  1. Member must provide legitimate business license in Country of origin.
  2. Member must provide business Bank details. Personal bank not enough.
  3. Member must provide Personal information of all the owners/proprietors.
  4. Member must provide 3 business references
2. IPSE Companies must pre-screen applicants as follows:
  1. Substantiate validity of business license through government of origin.
  2. Screen the 3 references provided.
  3. Substantiate the validity of the Bank account.
  4. Document the process.
Removal process:
1. ERAI has discretion of removing company from database based on reported problems.
2. A removal form will be faxed to IPSE Company explaining details of removal.
3. IPSE Company has 48 hours to remove fraudulent member from the community.
4. IDEA will reserve the right to audit and/or verify the ERAI’s reasoning for the removal process.
IPSE Company will allow for a stock versus availability listing in their software.
IDEA will not endorse or accept as a member an IPSE that allows OEMs or CEMs to view inventory listings.
IDEA will not endorse an IPSE Company that gathers and sells data to third parties, including data on RFQs, pricing, or the inventory itself.