IPC-2226 is a sectional design reference for high-density interconnect printed boards. The publisher's document revision table lists it as no longer maintained. Treat that status as a reason to review the project's design references carefully, rather than presenting IPC-2226 as a complete, current purchasing specification for every HDI construction.
Separate a reference from a contractual requirement
A design document can provide useful context without being the sole basis for procurement. The purchase package must identify the exact applicable documents, revisions, classes where relevant, customer requirements and approved exceptions. A bare note reading “IPC compliant” leaves too much unresolved.
Do not infer that a supplier is certified to manufacture a product merely because it cites a design standard. Process capability, quality-system certification and conformance of a delivered board are different questions requiring different evidence.
Build a standards register
| Register field | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Document and revision | Identifies the actual text used by the project |
| Role | Distinguishes design guidance from fabrication or assembly acceptance |
| Scope and applicability | Explains which part of the product the requirement governs |
| Exceptions and approvals | Records any agreed departure and the approving owner |
Review an inherited drawing
If an older drawing cites IPC-2226, ask the design authority to assess the reference in the context of the current product and supplier. Do not silently replace the citation or assume that a changed document number has no engineering effect. Preserve the original requirement until an authorized revision resolves it.
An illustrative review may find that the drawing lacks an explicit acceptance plan for a demanding microvia structure. The corrective action is to define that plan with the appropriate authorities and supplier, not simply to add more standard numbers to the notes.
Use controlled copies for decisions
The publisher's public revision table helps verify document status. It does not reproduce all technical requirements. Obtain the relevant authorized documents and use them for the actual design and acceptance review. Confirm status again when preparing a new contract or revising the standards register.
Record the resulting decisions with the stackup, via schedule and DFM dispositions. This makes the requirements reproducible on later orders and avoids treating a historical reference as a universal capability claim. This website provides procurement-planning context and does not claim company certification, licensed standards content or authority to approve a customer's design.
Continue the engineering review
- IPC-6016 replacement and procurement notes
- HDI PCB design guidelines
- HDI DFM release checklist
- HDI PCB engineering hub
Source checked October 2, 2026: IPC document revision table. Supplier literature is context, not a claim of this site’s equipment or capabilities.
Review your HDI requirements
Share the board revision, proposed stackup, quantity and open questions. Include the requirements discussed in this guide so the project review starts with the same assumptions.