On 19.06.2017 22:43, John Robertson wrote:
On 2017/06/16 1:48 PM, Ian Field wrote:

Nowadays; suppliers pack *ANY* components in anti-static bags - it
used to be some sort of clue which bits to handle with care.

There's some unexpected parts on the vulnerable list, so maybe they
have a point.

molded semiconductors can be subjected to pretty much anything that
doesn't break the case.

IC sockets though? Why do they pack them in anti-static bags
(Digi-Key)!

Most likely for compliance reasons. Thanks to the general CYA style
over-protectiveness, ESD safety rules are going postal. In various
places, rather than using common sense and somewhat educated employees,
they don't allow any sort of non-ESD-protected items on the production
floors any more. Having the sockets delivered in a non-dissipative
plastic bag would have some QC lunatics throw a hissy fit and run
screaming because they found something (the bag) that was (allegedly)
compromising the ESD safety of the factory