AVL / AML (Approved Vendor / Manufacturer List)
Definition
An AVL (Approved Vendor List) is a company's list of suppliers it has approved to purchase from. An AML (Approved Manufacturer List) is the list of manufacturers whose parts are approved for use in a given design. Both are quality-and-risk controls that keep sourcing within vetted sources.
Why it matters
Approved lists are where sourcing policy meets obsolescence reality. Buyers must stay within the AVL and AML, so when an approved part goes End of Life and no approved alternate exists, they face a choice: find remaining supply through vetted channels, or qualify a new second source or cross-reference and add it to the list. Maintaining more than one approved source per critical part, and favoring authorized distribution, keeps the AML from becoming a single point of failure.
Related terms
- Second Source: what a healthy AML maintains for critical parts.
- Cross-Reference (Alternate Part): a candidate for AML addition when a part goes obsolete.
3E Technology and the guide on qualifying a second-source supplier help you find and vet alternatives for your approved lists. Start a search.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an AVL or AML?+
An AVL (Approved Vendor List) is a company's list of suppliers approved to buy from. An AML (Approved Manufacturer List) is the list of manufacturers whose parts are approved for a given design. Both exist to control quality and risk by limiting sourcing to vetted sources.
What happens when a part on the AML goes obsolete?+
If an approved manufacturer's part goes obsolete and no approved alternate exists, the buyer must either find the remaining supply through vetted channels or qualify a new manufacturer or cross-reference and add it to the AML. Keeping more than one approved source per critical part avoids this bottleneck.
Related Resources
Second Source
A second source is an alternative qualified supplier or manufacturer for a part. Here's why second sourcing protects against shortages and single-supplier risk.
Cross-Reference (Alternate Part)
A cross-reference is a functionally equivalent replacement for a component. Here's why cross-referencing is often the fastest fix for an obsolete part.
Authorized (Franchised) Distributor
An authorized distributor sells components under a direct agreement with the manufacturer. Here's what that means for traceability and counterfeit risk.
How to Qualify a Second-Source Supplier
A practical workflow for identifying, evaluating, and qualifying an alternate supplier — from candidate identification through vendor audit and approval.
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