Anti-Counterfeiting

Electrical Counterfeits Can and Do Kill

Every day, counterfeit electrical products are finding their way into our homes, businesses, and public institutions. These fraudulent products pose a serious financial and legal liability to the electrical industry, and they have become a grave safety crisis for our communities - a crisis that requires immediate action. Counterfeit electrical products pose significant safety hazards, and can cause deaths, injuries and substantial property loss in the home and the workplace if left undetected.

The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), in cooperation with the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), has launched Counterfeits Can Kill, a national electrical counterfeit awareness program to help educate the public about the dangers of electrical counterfeit products.

An 8-minute DVD feature titled “Counterfeits Can Kill” has been jointly produced both in English and Spanish versions by ESFI and NEMA. “Counterfeits Can Kill” contains footage of some examples of dangerous counterfeit electrical products, and outlines specific recommendations for manufacturers, distributors, installers, government officials and consumers.

Anti-Counterfeiting Videos

Counterfeits Can Kill PSA (2:59, 18 MB)
Counterfeits Can Kill video for industry (8:39, 54 MB)
Call to Action for Distributors and other supply channel members (1:48, 10MB)
Call to Action for Government Officials (2.52, 17 MB)
Call to Action for Manufacturers (1:40, 10 MB)

To view a PDF of the press release announcing the launch of the Counterfeits Can Kill campaign, click HERE.

To view/download a PDF version of ESFI’s Electrical Counterfeit Awareness Fact Sheet, click HERE.

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.

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

Electrical Counterfeits Can and Do Kill

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

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