Clamp down on dodgy cables

26-08-2010

Cable manufacturers are being urged by the International Authentication Association (IAA) to invest more in anti-counterfeiting strategies and technologies to reduce the problem of counterfeit cables.

Commenting on the British Cable Association’s ‘Approved Cables Initiative (ACI), the chairman of IAA, Jim Rittenburg, said: "Manufacturers are already under pressure from higher energy, labour, materials and financing costs and for some an automatic reaction will be to compensate by cutting expenditure wherever possible – with investment in authentication technologies that help prevent counterfeits and maintain brand integrity a likely candidate. The temptation to cut back is obvious but we support the ACI’s aim to educate the electrical supply chain through seminars and marketing material.

"Continuing investment in features and systems that prevent losses will help companies through the hard times ahead. We also urge those in the supply chain routinely check cable markings and reels, checking identification tags. Anything suspicious should be reported straight away."

It is estimated that up to 20% of cable products in the cable systems supply chain are unsafe, non-approved or fake. Nearly 30% of all electrical fires are attributed to electrical products which use faulty wires and cables, according to Department of Communities and Local Government statistics.