Program to raise awareness of counterfeit electrical products

Industrial power equipment and management manufacturer Eaton Corporation is collaborating with the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) to spearhead a public awareness campaign in the US, focused on the dangers of counterfeit electrical products that can cause life-threatening disasters and result in lost productivity for customers and legitimate manufacturers.

Eaton’s goal is to educate key audiences about counterfeit products and the dangers they pose in residential and industrial settings as well as their adverse economic impact.

“Eaton is committed to anti-counterfeiting technologies and programs,” said Tom Grace, Manager of Anti-Counterfeiting Initiatives at Eaton’s Electrical Sector. “We are striving to protect our customers from counterfeits that exist in the new global economy. All forms of counterfeiting are unacceptable, but electrical product counterfeiting has dangerous implications for industry and the public.”

Consumers and communities can protect themselves against dangerous and defective counterfeit electrical products by using only established vendors and authorised retailers; exercising caution in online transactions; checking for certification marks; scrutinising labels and packaging; avoiding products that lack any identifying branding label or affiliation; avoiding ‘bargains’ that seem too good to be true; and seeking information online about product recalls.

“Eaton’s leadership role in educating the public about the dangers of fraudulent electrical products is helping us to reduce serious threats to public health and safety,” added Brett Brenner, President, ESFI. “Education can save lives and prevent injuries and property damage.”

Eaton collaborates with electrical manufacturer associations, the supply channel and government agencies worldwide to raise awareness of counterfeit electrical products and enforce anti-counterfeiting measures. Eaton invests in anti-counterfeiting technologies and programs to protect its customers from counterfeit products and the economic impact of sub-standard goods in the new global economy. The company is in the process of developing global authentication measures for products and anti-counterfeiting programs that combine executive, legal, technical and sales resources.