NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs)
Definition
NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs) is a lifecycle status a manufacturer assigns to a component that is still in production but is being phased out. The part remains available to buy, but the manufacturer is advising engineers not to use it in new designs because its remaining life is limited.
Why it matters
NRND is the earliest actionable warning in a component's decline. It typically comes before an EOL announcement, which gives design and procurement teams the most valuable thing in obsolescence management: lead time. A part flagged NRND today may get an EOL notice in a year or two, so it is the right moment to identify alternates, qualify a second source, or plan a redesign, well before supply gets tight.
For existing production, an NRND status is not a crisis. The part is still made and still stocked by authorized distributors. The discipline is simply to stop specifying it into new work and to track it toward its eventual End of Life.
Related terms
- EOL (End of Life): the stage that usually follows NRND.
- Last-Time Buy (LTB): the final-order window that opens once a part goes EOL.
- PCN (Product Change Notification): the notices manufacturers use to communicate status changes.
When NRND parts eventually leave authorized supply, 3E Technology covers the secondary channels that still carry them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does NRND mean?+
NRND stands for Not Recommended for New Designs. The manufacturer still produces and sells the component, but signals that it is being phased out and should not be designed into new products. It is an early warning that End of Life is coming.
Can I still buy an NRND part?+
Yes. An NRND part is still in production and available through authorized channels, so it is fine to buy for existing designs and service needs. The caution is against designing it into anything new, because an EOL notice and Last-Time-Buy window are likely to follow.
Related Resources
EOL (End of Life)
EOL, or End of Life, is a manufacturer's notice that a component will stop being produced. Here's what it means for sourcing and how to respond.
Last-Time Buy (LTB)
A Last-Time Buy is the final order you can place on a component before production ends. Here's how the LTB window works and how to size the order.
PCN (Product Change Notification)
A PCN is a manufacturer's formal notice of a change to a component, from a process tweak to discontinuation. Here's what PCNs cover and why to track them.
How to Source Obsolete Electronic Components: A Practical Guide
When authorized distributors run dry on an EOL part, here's the workflow for finding inventory, vetting suppliers, and avoiding counterfeits.
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