[February 2007]
The marketing of “Knock-off” products extends beyond fashion, CDs and DVDs – counterfeit electrical and electronic products have become a serious safety risk for Canadian businesses and individuals.
The selling of used products as new, using original certification marks to market products as “safe”, has been a particularly serious problem with circuit breakers. Last year, in Ontario and Quebec, hospitals unknowingly purchased circuit breakers that ultimately malfunctioned and were found to be counterfeit. In one instance, power to an intensive care unit was compromised.
In 2006, the RCMP also seized thousands of power bars and extension cords bearing false Underwriters Laboratories of Canada certification marks. The “counterfeit” extension cords, when tested to North American standards, melted and caught fire within minutes. The power bars were found to have undersized wiring, plastic casings that were not fire-resistant, no surge suppression and reverse polarity wiring (creating the danger of shocks). In response to this issue, Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) published a Canadian Reference Guide to UL & ULC Markings and Labels. The guide shows what constitutes a mark and covers key items to look for, so that regulators have a reliable method to determine whether or not a mark is genuine.
At a recent anti-counterfeiting information session presented by the Electro-Federation Canada (EFC) at the Toronto Board of Trade, the Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Underwriter’s Laboratories of Canada pointed out that counterfeiting is so easy, that everything from aircraft parts and brakes for cars to electrical equipment is being counterfeited these days. No wonder, considering that counterfeiters usually realize an ROI of about 5000%!
The EFC, in conjunction with the RCMP, has successfully taken action with respect to molded case circuit breakers (MCCBs). Their efforts have pushed through an amendment to the Canadian Electrical Code so that, effective January 1, 2007, it is illegal to use refurbished MCCBs. Also, Health Canada now recognizes all counterfeits as hazardous products and it is hoped that legislation to this effect will be passed before the end of the year.
Though looking for the best price makes good business sense, when sourcing electrical parts or components, be very careful. Thoroughly investigate any product purchased over the Internet. Always check labels and packages for spelling mistakes. Be very skeptical of products that are offered at unusually low prices because, if the price sounds too good to be true – it probably is.
The New Year brings new regulations with regard to the Electrical Contracting industry in Ontario and how you choose your electrical contractor. Effective January 1st, the new regulation 570/05 requires that all electrical contractors operating in the province must be registered with the Electrical Contractor Registration Agency (ECRA), the licensing body for the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) in Ontario. All electrical contractors, Industrial, Commercial and Residential, are required to provide this number on request, to ensure that as a customer you can rely on the fact that the contractor offering electrical services is legally licensed to do so. For your records, Dial One Wolfedale Electric’s new ECRA/ESA license number is: 7000 658.
This new requirement reflects the ESA’s responsibility to enforce public electrical safety across Ontario and work with businesses to ensure electrical safety due diligence and compliance with the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. As an industry leader in electrical safety, Dial One Wolfedale Electric is committed to ensuring you have the information you need to keep your facility and your employees safe. For more information on ESA licensing, please visit www.esasafe.com.
For more information about Dial One Wolfedale Electric, please contact us at 905-564-8999 or visit our website at www.dialonewolfedale.com |
