Protection against non-conforming electrical appliances and installations

The first international conference for standardisation and conformity assessment in electrotechnology was held recently in Bahrain, with an objective of providing better protection for citizens against the many accidents that are caused by low-quality electrical appliances and components.

With the rapid growth of the consumption of non-conforming electrical appliances in the Gulf region has come an increase in accidents and electrical fires. Inferior quality material used in switches, socket outlets, fuses and appliances may cause fires in buildings that can cost billions of dollars to local economies and endanger people’s lives.

In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, an estimated 30% of building fires are caused by short-circuits, faulty wiring and non-conforming electrical products. Part of the problem is the absence of third-party conformity assessment. Use of IEC International Standards in third-party conformity assessment increases the safety and health of local populations and encourages the development of manufacturing in GCC.

The event was co-organised by the IECEE, the System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electro-technical Equipment and Components of the IEC (International Electro-technical Commission), the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Bahrain and GSO, the GCC Standardisation Organisation.

The event brought together key players from manufacturing, testing laboratories and government bodies to look at the safety of household appliances, electrical appliances and buildings, as well as the role of conformity assessment in improving the quality and performance of electrotechnical products and systems.

One of the aims of the conference was to provide the Gulf region with the tools to play a key role in both the development of IEC International Standards and the participation in the IECEE. The Gulf region is the third most important trading platform for electrical and electronic goods globally. For a region that increasingly cooperates economically, the use of IEC International Standards and the participation in the IECEE Conformity Assessment System is vital for its industrial development. It will result in increased efficiency and economies of scale in manufacturing and the reduction of trade barriers.

The IECEE is a worldwide multi-lateral certification system that is based on International Standards prepared by the IEC. The IECEE System includes certification for electrical and electronic products as well as an exclusive quality mark for photovoltaic products and systems. The IECEE system was put in place to facilitate international trade in electrotechnical equipment and components for use in homes, offices, workshops, healthcare facilities and similar locations.