The British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC), is concerned about counterfeit cable and, though this is not yet a significant problem in the cable market, it is a concern:
"There may well be manufacturers in some countries where copyright isn't the 'highest priority' and they may counterfeit cable and put a BS number on it - but they don't put BASEC on it," states John Senders, chief executive at BASEC, the British Approvals Service for Cables.
Counterfeiting is a worry that often arises in industries where large amounts of branded goods are moved around the world. Consequently, in any given country, it can prove very difficult to verify the authenticity of a product that might have been manufactured on the other side of the globe.
John Senders says that although in his experience counterfeiting is not a significant problem in the cable market, it is a concern.
Today, BASEC is reminding cable specifiers and users that, in itself, a BS number on a cable is not a guarantee of product conformity and quality. This is because a manufacturer is allowed to declare a product's conformance with the BS specification and is not obliged to have such a claim confirmed by any independent third party certification body.
The best way to be sure of cable compliance and quality is to look for the BASEC mark. Almost a guarantee: BASEC puts an enormous amount of effort into ensuring that its mark is not used fraudulently.
As a result, John Senders believes that it is almost a guarantee a cable isn't counterfeit. "We diligently monitor for misuse of our mark," he says, "and although there have been rare cases of misrepresentation, we've never found a BASEC mark on any cable that has turned out to be counterfeit." BASEC's prime objective is to protect the end user and the consumer from bad cable. "It's not in anybody's interest for bad cable to be in use and I'm pleased that the manufacturers we deal with are very professional in wanting to make sure there is good cable in the UK," says Senders. "Specifiers and installers simply need to ensure that it is the official BASEC mark that is on the cable and if they have any suspicions about markings on the product, they should ask their supplier to provide a copy of the BASEC approval schedule, or check directly with BASEC".
More about BASEC: BASEC was founded in 1971. Its board of management comprises representatives from major manufacturers:
- The British Standards Institute (BSI)
- The Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE)
- The Building Research Establishment (BRE)
- The Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) T
- The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC).
BASEC was one of the first bodies accredited by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, and subsequently the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), to provide certifications to National, International and European standards in Quality Management (ISO9001), Environmental management (ISO14001, EMAS) and various product standards.
In addition, BASEC now operates schemes leading to Capability Approval, Certificates of Assessed Design and certification of Health and Safety management systems (OHSAS18001).
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Related contacts
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BASEC
23 Presley Way, Crownhill,
Milton Keynes MK8 0ES
Tel: 01908 267300
Fax: 01908 267255
Web: www.basec.org.uk
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Source: BASEC |
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