The British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC) is supporting a campaign to tackle the growing influx of counterfeit electrical goods coming onto the UK market.
BASEC joins a number of other industry-wide organisations in signing the Electrical Installation Industry Charter of action to help prevent the illegal and dangerous trade.
Dr Jeremy Hodge, Chief Executive of BASEC, said: “This is a growing issue and, in supporting this campaign with other organisations, we aim to stamp out the trade in faked goods in the electrical sector, many of which are dangerous.
“We urge all of those in the supply chain, manufacturers, specifiers, distributors and installers to please check that they are only dealing with safe, quality products.”
For manufacturers using faulty materials, it can mean loss of revenue, while for specifiers, wholesalers and contractors, reputations are at stake if counterfeit products not meeting the required standards are supplied and installed.
The campaign aims to help stem the use of counterfeit products at source and ensure the UK market does not suffer from a flood of potentially lethal items.
The Charter is also endorsed by the British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers’ Association (BEAMA), the Electrical Safety Council, the British Cables Association, Scotland’s electrical trade association SELECT, the Lighting Industry Federation, the Electrical Contractors’ Association and the Electrical Distributors’ Association.
In support of the campaign, the British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers’ Association (BEAMA) has produced a new six minute long DVD highlighting the potential dangers of counterfeiting – fire, death and injury – and the impact on reputation and business by specifying and installing inferior quality 'copy cat' electrical products.
BEAMA Installation Director Dave Dossett says: “Counterfeiting isn't restricted to producing forged Cup Final tickets and bank notes. It affects everything from designer clothes and watches to even the pills we take. “
Annually, an estimated £30 million worth of counterfeit electrical products reach the UK. The consequences of counterfeit electrical accessories entering the supply chain are damaging to business and the public and could ultimately result in death or injury.
By detailed examination of manufacturers' production processes and
controls, and rigorous testing, BASEC ensures that cable products meet
appropriate national, European and international standards.
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