Voltimum and Gambica have become the newest signatories of the ‘Industry Charter' to combat the ‘trade' in counterfeits, and the proliferation of electrical products failing to comply with the appropriate standards.
The Charter was introduced in 2008 by Beama, the EDA (Electrical Distributors Association), ECA (Electrical Contractors Association) and Select (Scotland's trade association for the electrical, electronics and communications systems industry). These organisations have long been at the forefront in initiatives against producers of anti-counterfeit electrical products. Since then, many leading industry organisations have added their name to the Charter. The signatories are now: Beama, Basec, EDA, LIF, BCA, Intertek, Alliance Against IP Theft, Trading Standards Institute, Select, Electrical Safety Council, ECA, Voltimum and Gambica.
The Charter commits signatory members to refuse to trade in counterfeit or non-compliant products. The aim is to drive these dangerous or sub-standard products from the UK market.
The electrical industry sees the Charter as a major move forwards in combating the counterfeiters – a unified front encompassing the associations working together on practical and effective solutions to stem the threat from counterfeit and non-compliant electrical products, and also to control the spread of those products not conforming to recognised standards in the marketplace.
Beama's executive chairman, Dave Dossett, said: "We value Voltimum's and Gambica's commitment to the anti-counterfeit cause. Gambica has been involved in anti-counterfeit activities in the electronic components sector for some years. While, Voltimum hosts the counterfeit-kills.com mini-site and regularly publishes features against counterfeit products.
"The Charter confirms the electrical products industry's will to encourage the development within the marketplace of concrete actions between members of all signatories. For example, surveillance and intelligence-led anti-counterfeiting networks. Eventually such a commitment could form part of contract conditions between companies."
Dossett continued: "The Charter is an acknowledgement that counterfeiting continues to be a threat globally. It is in everyone's interests to fight against this insidious ‘business'. The distribution of electrical products not complying with standards is a real danger to material goods, properties – and people. Counterfeits can cause fires – and kill.
"Well-known brands and trade marks – even certification marks – don't escape the clutches of the devious counterfeiter eager to earn a quick buck. Purchase only products from an authorised supplier. Be sure – you are responsible – if in doubt check with the brand owner/certification body."
Voltimum UK's managing director, Margaret Fitzsimons (pictured with BEAMA's Dave Dossett), said: "Voltimum and its manufacturing partners recognise the seriousness of counterfeit electrical goods and fully support the Electrical Industry Charter, along with the efforts of all those involved in combating counterfeiters."
