Counterfeit electrical products infect nearly every product category in the market and account for $20 billion a year in crime
Each year, too many lives are disrupted by electrical-related injuries and deaths. All of us share a responsibility to ensure that the products and services that we design, manufacture, sell and install are done so safely.
Do your part in finding and combating counterfeiters
You can protect the lives of your workers and customers and avoid serious liability by reporting counterfeit and unsafe electrical products. In Ontario, organizations are required by law to report serious electrical incidents or defects that come into effect
Below is a list of frequently asked questions regarding counterfeit products that help you do your part in combating counterfeit products:
Q. What if the electrical product that I purchase doesn’t have an approved marking on it (i.e. CSA, UL, ULC)? Is the product unsafe?
A. The absence of a mark would suggest that the product is not safe for use and should in no way be employed. Contact the local safety authority in your area to report the product or submit a product incident report online at www.electrofed.com
Q. What if I suspect a product that appears to be approved to be counterfeit or unsafe? How do I verify the product’s authenticity?
A. With few exceptions, the product will have a listing number in the general area of the certification logo. This listing can usually be verified on the certification agency’s Website You can also contact the appropriate certification agency.
Q. What if I find a discrepancy in the product listing number when I look it up on the certification agency’s Website?
A. You should notify the certification agency and the regulatory authority in your province and territory with all relevant product information. These organizations will investigate the validity of the product listing number.
Q. Are low-cost electrical products that appear to be certified unsafe or counterfeit?
A. This should be a “buyer beware” warning. Typically, counterfeit and unsafe products are sold through low-cost distribution and retail outlets. Generally, large reputable distribution and retail outlets are reliable sources of safe electrical products.
Q. What if I suspect an unsafe or counterfeit product that is located at a distributor’s site?
A. Report your concern to the local safety authority that has jurisdiction in the distributor’s area and to the appropriate certification agency, if indicated on the alleged unsafe or counterfeit product.
Information from Electro-Federation Canada Anti-Counterfeiting article Retrieved July 2012 from http://www.electrofed.com/industry-issues/electrical-safety/anti-counterfeiting/.
