Anti-Counterfeiting

Trademark counterfeiting has reached the electrical sector. Counterfeiters have targeted well-known industrial and consumer brands, and registered certification marks of testing and certification laboratories. Counterfeit electrical products can pose significant safety hazards and left undetected, can cause deaths, injuries and substantial property loss in the home and the workplace, noted the Electrical Safety Foundation International.

The electrical products targeted by counterfeiters apply to those used by both consumers and industry. The list includes control relays for industrial equipment, lamps, electronic lamp ballasts, dry cell batteries, lithium ion batteries, smoke detectors, fuses, circuit breakers, electrical receptacles, ground fault circuit interrupters, conduit fittings, power strips and surge suppressors, electrical cordsets (extension cords), power cords, telecommunications cable, and electrical connectors... Read the full article

Tips on how to avoid purchasing counterfeit goods

Only purchase electrical products directly from the manufacturer, a reputable distributor or retailer
Buyers should beware of bargains that seem too good to be true. Products may be cheap because they are counterfeit or defective.
Check the warning label. It should be free of grammatical errors and not conflict with information elsewhere on the package.
Look for the name and contact information of the manufacturer.
Avoid no-name products or products sold at bargain centers.

Press Releases

Counterfeiting in the United States: Consumer Behaviors and Attitudes (August 2007)

Counterfeit purchases have been steadily rising since 2005, and are now at 22% overall, 31% in the Northeast, and 25% in Los Angeles.
- Songs, movies, and clothing are the items most commonly purchased as counterfeits.

Few Americans realize the breadth of items sold as counterfeits and the economic impact.
- Less than one-third of Americans realize that electrical products like batteries, and extension cords are counterfeited.
- Slightly more than one-quarter of respondents correctly estimate the approximate impact of counterfeiting on the U.S. economy.
64.2% of counterfeit electrical goods were purchased at legitimate shops and retailers – higher than any other product type.
The most effective deterrents indicated by consumers that would prevent them from buying counterfeit goods are the likelihood of supporting terrorists, the potential for inflicting harm on a loved one, and the possibility of supporting organized crime.

Anti-Counterfeiting

Tips on how to avoid purchasing counterfeit goods

Press Releases

Counterfeiting in the United States: Consumer Behaviors and Attitudes (August 2007)

Additional Information