[ Spotlight: Counterfeit cable ]


Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) in 2010 to investigate the electrical supply industry. Already, a UK government-funded project has enabled


the HSE to investigate distributors, wholesalers, contractors and manufacturers, and the ACI has so far tested more than 55 cable samples, of which all cables that were unmarked failed standard testing. The work of the ACI has been hailed a success by BIS and the EU Commission. Having followed up on several cases where distributors


have imported cable, the HSE believes that potentially dangerous products may have entered the supply chain, and it has taken appropriate enforcement action. Its investigations discovered that the cables’ supply chain is very competitive, with signifi cant numbers of suppliers and manufacturers from outside the European Community. There also appears to be a discernable lack of awareness


of the LVD (Low Voltage Directive), or the requirement for all cable, including imports, to carry the CE Mark. The HSE is actively working with key stakeholders in the supply chain and carrying out further visits to wholesalers and distributors to ensure that they understand their obligations, and that they are only placing compliant products on the market.


Adopting safer practices As further examples of serious malpractice continue to be uncovered, the ACI will push through a number of initiatives this year to help educate those in the supply chain in the UK about these issues. Further afi eld, the ACI is also hoping to proactively encourage cable manufacturers outside of the UK to adopt better manufacturing practices. Michael Simms, chairman of the ACI has already visited


India and Turkey, the sources of two faulty cable issues in the UK last year, to speak to their representative electrical cable associations about the ACI and its work to stamp out faulty cables. Both countries say they will set up similar initiatives, based


upon the ACI model, to stop defective cable being produced and exported. The ACI will be monitoring the situation to see if their good intentions are carried through. The ACI’s lobbying campaign also continues, and it


is working to reinforce and change existing legislation to effectively stop defective cabling entering the UK market. The ACI is also encouraging change at BASEC, LPCB and HAR to tighten up surveillance rules on manufacturers to make it easier to identify non-compliant cable. For instance, as a result of the ACI campaign and the


identifi cation and exposure of the manufacturers of unsafe and unapproved cables, BASEC’s rules have been reinforced and enhanced. Changes include unannounced client visits, assessment of clients using a risk-based approach, new requirements on product recalls, and the introduction of new logos to differentiate between different approvals. This robust approach to tackling the issue is supported


by other marketing activity, including new literature, a Pocket Guide to help with cable ordering (see box, right), a discussion group on LinkedIn, regular website developments and, in June, the ACI’s fi rst e-communication.


Conclusion What is clear is that the Approved Cables Initiative has found its calling. Much has already been achieved, and


awareness of the issues has been greatly enhanced through its work to date. Yet this is an uphill climb, which all parties will need to endure if we are to make defective cable a less common, and almost rare, occurrence in the UK cable market in the future. The Approved Cables Initiative is addressing the issue


About the author


Peter Smeeth Peter Smeeth has been secretary general of the British Cables Association since 1999. He came from a trade association/military background. Working closely with Michael Simms on the Approved Cables Initiative (ACI) since its inception, Peter is the point of contact for the ACI on a day-to- day basis.


of unsafe, non-approved and counterfeit cable entering the UK marketplace. If you have information or concerns about a suspected faulty or counterfeit cable, the organisation will test samples and, if found to be unsafe, details will be passed to relevant industry regulators and legislators. The ACI can also provide guidance, where appropriate, to installers.


■ The Approved Cables Initiative can be contacted on 0208 946 6978/07973 636688 or email info@aci. org.uk. For further information about the ACI campaign visit www.aci.org.uk


Faulty cables


Guidelines for cable ordering


The ACI has produced a quick reference guide for contractors to help instil better cable ordering practice. The guide details 10 areas of reference for contractors, and a cable ordering template can be downloaded from the ACI website at www.aci.org.uk


Contractor's guide to cable ordering Requirement for cable ordering: 1. Type of cable, e.g., XLPE, SWA, LSHF. 2. British or other cable standard number, e.g., BS 6724/IEC 60502-1. 3. Cable reference number or code (CMA code or equivalent supplier stock code), e.g., 6943LSF.


4. Number of cores and nominal cross section, e.g., 3-core, 185 sqmm. 5. Quantity and lengths of cable required (with length breakdown if required), e.g., 1500m, 3 x 500 drums. 6. Manufacturer’s details, e.g., manufacturer’s name, carried on the cable. 7. Traceability: conformance certifi cate including traceability to source of manufacture, manufacturing quality approvals and CE Marking, e.g., manufacturer’s batch test certifi cate, batch number and production date, manufacturer’s ISO 9001 certifi cate. CE marked and EC Declaration of Conformity (if needed).


8. Third party approval requirement, e.g., BASEC, LPCB or HAR approved product, supply certifi cate.


9. Technical options, e.g., 600/1000V rating, brown, blue, G/Y colours. 10. Delivery details, e.g., deliver on xx/xx/xx (a specifi c date) and please telephone Mr Smith for confi rmation – to help prevent theft of cable from site.


July 2011 ECA Today 23


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