Awareness of counterfeits grows

Educational programs are helping to increase awareness of the dangers of counterfeit products and providing the tools needed to make informed purchasing decisions, key learnings that will help increase electrical safety, according to the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) and Eaton’s joint survey of IEC members. The results also reveal that more work is needed to share best practices and encourage collaboration in order to thwart counterfeiting.

“The first step to tackling any issue is building awareness and an understanding of why it is important,” said Thayer Long, executive vice president and chief executive officer, IEC National.

“Our anti-counterfeiting efforts with Eaton have not only raised awareness of the dangers of counterfeit electrical products but have also helped the industry and consumers understand the ways to avoid such products. We are encouraged by the high level of knowledge our members have, but we must continue our efforts.”

The value of consumer safety and critical technology products seized by US Customs and Border Control increased by 143% from 2011 to 2012. Eaton, IEC and other industry collaborators are working to provide electrical contractors with better tools to recognise and report these products and help identify potential counterfeit product supply chains.

The survey, created to identify the current state of awareness around counterfeit electrical products, shows where educational campaigns have been successful. Members understand the potential safety dangers of counterfeit products, the sophistication of counterfeiters that makes it difficult to identify a counterfeit electrical product and how to avoid such products by purchasing directly from the manufacturer’s authorised distributors or resellers.

“Electrical contractors are recognising the prevalence and dangers of counterfeits in the industry,” said Tom Grace, brand protection manager, Eaton’s Electrical Sector Americas. “Now we need to up our game and provide contractors with easier ways to properly report counterfeit products and build collaboration between manufacturers, industry organisations and government.”

While IEC members are educated on the dangers of counterfeit electrical products, survey results also show that such products continue to be found in the field and that additional education is needed. A vast majority of respondents acknowledge that if they encounter a product they suspect to be counterfeit, they do not know where and how to report it.

Complete results of the survey can be found at eaton.com/counterfeit.