War against Mid East power industry counterfeiters stepped up

In conjunction with local law enforcement and regulatory bodies and the British Embassy in Sanaa, the Electrical Installation Equipment Manufacturers Association (EIEMA) has launched Operation Electric Cat to short circuit the wide spread illegal trade in cheap sub standard products.

The crackdown, which involves police raids, prosecutions and the destruction of seized fake products, was revealed at Middle East Electricity 2002, the region's premier energy exhibition and conference, underway at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

"Following our success in Dubai where, with the co-operation of the police and customs, we have largely stemmed the re-export of bogus products to Africa and elsewhere in the region, we are now focusing on Yemen where counterfeit goods are rife," said Michael Palmer, Chairman of EIEMA's Counterfeit Working Group.

"We are also planning to take action in Oman, later this year, as part of our continuing campaign to force the counterfeiters from the market.

"Five to seven per cent of all world trade is now in counterfeit goods and on average it costs industry over US$ 250 billion a year," said Palmer.

"In the case of my own company, Tenby, our order book was halved as a result of our electrical products and accessories being counterfeited, forcing us to take robust action to remedy the situation.

"In the power industry it is not just a question of fake products hitting orders and exports hard, there is also the issue of safety. We know of many cases in which people have been killed or seriously injured by counterfeit fuses or switch sockets."

Palmer said the EIEMA, which plays a leading role in developing national, international and European standards, employs its own team of investigators, based in Cyprus, to root out suppliers and sellers of forged products in the Middle East.

"There are basically three areas of action. Stopping the fake products at source, shutting down supply routes and putting the sellers out of business," he said.

At an industry seminar on counterfeiting at Middle East Electricity 2002, David Dossett, the EIEMA's Director said fake products were a major threat to power industry brands.

"No one can afford to ignore the problem. That is not an option. The only way to deal with the issue is to tackle it from every angle and for the authorities to take strict action and shut down the counterfeiters," Dossett said.

"My advice to companies is not to wait until disaster strikes but to take action now. And my message to the counterfeiters is simple. Watch out EIEMA is about. We are going to be closely looking into your activities and not allow you to rest."

During his visit to the United Arab Emirates Dossett said he would be meeting with local power industry companies to discuss further action against the counterfeiters.

"We have had some success in Dubai but more needs to be done. I will have talks on strengthening the present loose alliance of local electrical engineering and accessory companies so that we can effectively take the fight to the counterfeiters," said Dossett.

At the seminar EIEMA's latest weapon in the war against counterfeiters was unveiled with the first showing of a seven and a half-minute video that dramatically illustrates what can happen when counterfeit electrical products are used.

Shot on location in Dubai, Singapore and China, the 'Counterfeits Kill' video will be sent to regional architects, project specifiers and building standards' regulators as part of the EIEMA's campaign to educate industry professionals on the dangers of using bogus products.

The EIEMA seminar was one of 14 industry specific forums being held at Middle East Electricity 2002 that are examining essential sector issues including certification for the international market, utility centre performance and substation testing.