Anti-counterfeiting Roundtable

Counterfeiting was a hot topic for discussion at our International Product Safety Conference last year. Since then, we have been considering how best to translate the outputs from the conference into practical and effective action to support industry and to develop our agenda for future campaigning activities in this area.

In April 2009, as a starting point for delivering on this commitment, we invited senior representatives from the industry, enforcement organisations and government to take part in a round-table event to debate how our efforts could be united to better tackle the global problem of counterfeit and non-compliant electrical installation

The event was chaired by Ron Gainsford, Chief Executive of the Trading Standards Institute, who welcomed participants representing the following organisations:

  • British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC)
  • British Cables Association
  • British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers' Association (BEAMA)
  • Electrical Contractors’ Association
  • Electrical Safety Council
  • Intertek
  • Lighting Industry Federation
  • SELECT
  • The Alliance Against IP Theft
  • The Intellectual Property Office
  • Trading Standards

Our intention in opening the debate was to initiate a process towards a long-lasting strategy which would mobilize both industry and public authorities to jointly combat counterfeiting and non-compliant products.

 
 

The facts about counterfeit electrical products

The market in counterfeit watches, designer clothes, CDs and DVDs has enjoyed widespread publicity. But the market in counterfeit electrical installation products is far more serious, because it may involve risk to life.

Some products, for example fuses and circuit-breakers, are intended to provide electrical protection, so it is essential that they function correctly. Others products like wiring accessories, perform a more functional role, but safety in use is vital, along with reliability and performance.

Counterfeit electrical products are almost always substandard, posing a risk of harm to consumers and installers alike.

Counterfeiters are able to copy the external appearance of an electrical product and its packaging fairly well, but the internal design, materials or chemical composition may be significantly different from the genuine product and could pose serious dangers.

Annually, an estimated £30m worth of counterfeit electrical products reach the UK.

It is believed that more than 95% of counterfeit electrical installation products originate in China.

Since 2000, BEAMA has seen over 200 factories in China raided and over 10 million products seized together with their packaging and tooling.


 
 

  • Roundtable debate on counterfeiting - The True cost of counterfeit electrical products - challenges and opportunities

    Download here