20 years of COGD How Germany’s obsolescence experts help safeguard long-term system availability

Component obsolescence is no longer a niche concern. As product lifecycles shorten and geopolitical risks rise, ensuring the long-term availability of critical systems has become a core task for industries with extended operating timelines. For two decades, the Component Obsolescence Group Deutschland (COGD) has provided structured support, strategies and knowledge-sharing to companies facing the growing complexity of managing component discontinuation.

The Component Obsolescence Group Deutschland (COGD) e.V. marks its 20th anniversary as Germany’s primary industry platform for managing and mitigating obsolescence risk in long-life industrial and defence systems. With more than 170 member companies, COGD now represents the largest national chapter of the International Institute of Obsolescence Management (IIOM).

Founded in 2005 as a regional extension of the UK-based COG, the initiative grew out of a practical need: to support manufacturers of durable goods — particularly in defence, aerospace, rail, automotive, and industrial automation — in addressing the increasingly disruptive impact of component discontinuation. The model was inspired by NATO's DMSMS (Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages) framework, which since the 1990s has highlighted the long-term risks posed by dwindling component availability in military and public-sector systems.

From its early beginnings with 30 electronics-focused companies, COGD has developed into a non-profit knowledge and strategy platform for both active (pre-emptive) and passive (reactive) obsolescence management. Today, its membership base spans OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, distributors, legal advisors, and specialised service providers.

Shrinking lifecycles vs. long-term system demands

“The growing number of members is both a success and a warning sign,” said Axel Wagner, current chair of the COGD board and Corporate Lawyer for the EMEA region at Asteelflash. “It reflects the fact that obsolescence — whether due to product discontinuation, regulatory changes, or geopolitical instability — is now a major operational issue for many companies.”

Wagner notes that industries relying on systems with decades-long service lives face increasing difficulties in securing replacement parts, while the market-driven pace of consumer electronics continues to accelerate component innovation — and obsolescence. “The very short lifecycle of smartphones, wearables and similar consumer products directly impacts the availability of many electronic components used in industrial applications,” Wagner explains.

This trend places growing pressure on mid-sized enterprises in particular, which often lack the capacity to conduct continuous lifecycle analysis or maintain large buffer inventories. “Smaller firms may not have the resources to track all potential risk factors across the supply chain,” Wagner said, “which makes early-stage planning and shared knowledge all the more important.”

COGD’s evolving role in standardisation and advocacy

COGD provides member companies with a broad array of practical tools: regular expert lectures, working groups, house fairs, and dialogue events at international trade shows and conferences. The organisation also plays a proactive role in shaping industry standards and political dialogue.

A notable example is smartPCN, a structured notification standard for product discontinuation developed by COGD and now included in IEC 62402, the international standard for obsolescence management. The association also collaborates with ReachLaw on regulatory issues and is part of the Verbändeallianz Elektronik, a coalition of German electronics industry bodies pushing for reduced bureaucracy in the sector.

“Effective obsolescence strategies rely on early-stage data access,” Wagner said. “Ideally, companies should begin analysing potential lifecycle risks not shortly before production begins — but already during the product evaluation and design phase.”

However, he points out that this kind of risk anticipation depends on two critical enablers: automated data availability and experienced personnel. “That’s where COGD can make a real difference,” said Wagner. “We offer access to both — and will continue to do so for the next 20 years.”

Background: What is the COGD?

The Component Obsolescence Group Deutschland (COGD) is a non-profit industry association focused on identifying, analysing, and mitigating the risks associated with product discontinuation. As a national chapter of the IIOM, the COGD promotes best practices in proactive lifecycle and obsolescence management. Its mission is to reduce the operational and economic impact of obsolescence through member collaboration, standardisation efforts, and data-driven risk mitigation strategies. More information is available at www.cog-d.de.