PCN (Product Change Notification)
Definition
PCN (Product Change Notification) is a manufacturer's formal notice that something about a component is changing. The change can be minor, such as a packaging or process adjustment, or major, such as a specification change or a discontinuation. A PDN (Product Discontinuation Notice) is the specific type of PCN that announces a part is reaching End of Life.
Why it matters
PCNs are the early-warning system for obsolescence and supply risk. Monitoring PCN and PDN feeds against your bill of materials means you learn about a discontinuation the day it is announced, not when a distributor search suddenly returns zero stock. That lead time is what makes a calm Last-Time Buy or second-source qualification possible instead of an emergency.
Not every PCN is about discontinuation. A change to a fab location or a material can affect qualification, compliance, or form-fit-function, so buyers and quality teams review PCNs to decide whether a change requires requalification or is safe to accept.
Related terms
- EOL (End of Life): announced via a PDN, the discontinuation type of PCN.
- NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs): an early lifecycle status often communicated through these notices.
- Last-Time Buy (LTB): the action a discontinuation PCN sets in motion.
When a PCN signals a part is gone from authorized supply, 3E Technology covers the secondary sources that still hold it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a PCN?+
A PCN (Product Change Notification) is a manufacturer's formal notice that something about a component is changing. That can be a material, process, packaging, specification, or fab-location change, or a discontinuation. It gives customers advance warning so they can assess the impact and respond.
What is the difference between a PCN and a PDN?+
A PCN (Product Change Notification) covers any change to a part. A PDN (Product Discontinuation Notice) is the specific type of PCN that announces a part is going End of Life. A PDN is effectively the discontinuation subset of PCNs, and it is the one that starts the Last-Time-Buy clock.
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.
NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs)
NRND means a manufacturer is phasing out a component: still available, but not for new designs. Here's what the status signals and how to react.
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.
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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