BEAMA approached by concerned contractor over discovery of 14000 Non-Compliant Wiring Accessories on Major UK Project

13 Aug 2018

BEAMA are active in the area of product compliance with ongoing projects focussing on electrical circuit protection products in the UK. This involves both desk research and also product testing programmes where the performance of products is checked against the requirements of the relevant electrical standards. The results of the investigations are subsequently shared with the product manufacturers and, if necessary, enforcement agencies, for the appropriate actions to be taken. An example of a recent project where BEAMA were originally contacted by a concerned contractor is explained below.

BEAMA were recently approached by a main contractor involved in a large UK construction site which incorporated a significant quantity of modular off-site constructed living accommodation modules.  These modules were manufactured by an overseas manufacturer who are not a registered member of the (Modular & Portable Building Trade Association MPBA), the representative body for Volumetric Offsite manufacture in the UK.

The contractor, having experienced inconsistent on-site test results, was specifically concerned about the quality of the wiring accessories incorporated into the off-site constructed modules. As a result, the contractor then approached BEAMA requesting their support.

The wiring accessories were not a familiar UK brand and BEAMA’s initial observations were that outwardly they appeared poorly constructed with poor quality mouldings with visibly jagged edges. BEAMA agreed to carry out compliance tests on these products to the relevant product standard and found them to be non-compliant due to a combination of issues including insufficient cable retention capability, excessive temperature rise, and switch endurance failures.

Due to the diligence of the contractor and supported by the actions undertaken by BEAMA the contractor took the decision to replace all the wiring accessories with a recognised fully compliant brand.  This amounted to over 14000 accessories. The consequences of taking no action could have resulted in, at best premature ageing of the products, or more worryingly a potential fire risk.

Had it not been for the initial actions of the contractor, this is a good example of how one of many non-compliant products could have unwittingly been installed in the UK with potentially serious consequences.

When purchasing electrical distribution products, it is important to select well-known brands sourced via a proven distribution chain.

The risks and consequences associated with both non-compliant products as in the case above and also by counterfeit products are serious.

The following information is aimed at providing guidance on how to mitigate the risk of being duped into handling these potentially life-threatening products.

Let’s firstly define the terminology:

  • Non-Compliant products (also called sub-standard, non-conforming or non-approved) are products that carry false, misleading or absence of information in respect of their performance (very often to a recognised standard) or ability to satisfy relevant legislation (e.g. carrying the CE mark where relevant)
  • Counterfeit products (also called fake or copy) are products that steal the Intellectual Property (IP) of the registered owner of that IP. Invariably this occurs when someone has copies and applied someone else’s brand name or trademarks

 

It is a proven fact that the majority of counterfeit products are also non-compliant.

Whilst the products affected by both of these forms of deception cover the entire spectrum of electrical installation products, actions by the Electrotechnical Market Surveillance (EMS) group have been focusing on raising awareness and supporting actions by the relevant enforcement authorities.  This is in the areas of Cables, Lighting, Circuit Protection, Wiring Accessory and Motor Control products

The risks and consequences of selling and/or installing these products can be wide-ranging and includes:

- Injury to or death of persons (possibly leading to legal action, fines or imprisonment)

- Damage to property

- Loss of business (ranging from an individual customer to an entire business)

- Damage to reputation (for selling or installing a product that has failed)

- Cost (the cost of replacing the failed product, including travel and labour costs)

- Inconvenience (due to a lack of performance and/or reliability)

 

Whilst there is no ‘golden bullet’ to identify a counterfeit or non-compliant product, there are several basic checks that can be carried out to go some way to mitigate the risk of being duped into handling these products.

 

For more information or to contact EMS group members, go to the website www.doesitcomply.co.uk