Eaton offers videos on counterfeiting perils

Counterfeit Electrical Products threaten safety and reliability across the supply chain. Learn anti-counterfeiting tactics, certification mark checks, recall verification, and how UL, ESFI, NEMA, and Eaton coordinate to curb fakes.

Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation will host online videos about the dangers of counterfeit electrical products.

The videos were filmed during a panel discussion on counterfeiting at Electric West 2010. The videos feature representatives from Eaton, whose worker safety leadership is recognized, the Electrical Safety Foundation International ESFI, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association NEMA and Underwriters Laboratories UL. Panel participants discussed how manufacturers’ associations, supply-chain partners and government agencies worldwide are coordinating efforts to raise awareness of counterfeit electrical products.

“The high demand for electrical products combined with economic pressure to reduce cost has led some to attempt to purchase products outside of traditional manufacturing and distribution channels. To meet this demand for lower priced products, illicit manufacturers often misrepresent counterfeit goods as genuine,” said Tom Grace, manager, Anti-Counterfeiting Initiatives, Eaton’s Electrical Sector. “Eaton is committed to creating awareness of the risks and dangers of counterfeit electrical products and, as part of its broader Arc Flash research initiatives, will continue to invest in anti-counterfeiting technologies and programs.”

Located on Eaton’s website at www.eaton.com/counterfeit, the videos highlight the most prominent subject matter including: enormity of the problem, motivation of counterfeiters, safety, how to avoid counterfeits, what to look for, and what Eaton is doing to stop counterfeiting. The full video of the panel presentation is also available.

“Consumers may unknowingly be buying and using, or reselling, counterfeit products that could compromise their safety,” said Brett Brenner, president, ESFI. “We encourage everyone to view these videos and share the links with their colleagues, especially during National Electrical Safety Month outreach, in hopes that we can educate the public and perhaps even prevent the accidents that we so desperately want to avoid.”

“There are many hidden costs when buying fraudulent electrical products,” added Clark Silcox, secretary and general counsel, NEMA. “Until consumers know that these products are in the market and the risks in older homes they may face, they’re not going to know how to avoid them.”

Consumers and communities can protect themselves against dangerous and defective counterfeit electrical products by using authorized resellers, exercising caution in online transactions, checking for certification marks such as ULC or CSA tags, scrutinizing labels and packaging, avoiding products that lack any identifying branding label or affiliation, avoiding ‘bargains’ that seem too good to be true, and seeking product recall information online.

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