P27 Product Certification:Layout 1 18/03/2021 17:11 Page 27 ProductCertification


With a worrying rise in the volume of untested and uncertified products on the market in the UK, Paul Dawson, commercial director at Niglon, a fourth-generation family- owned supply firm based in the Midlands, is making it his mission to raise awareness of how wholesalers can protect themselves and their customers against unknowingly using potentially unsafe products. In this article, he explains how wholesalers can protect themselves and their customers from the repercussions of unsafe electrical products.


W


e’ve all seen examples of dangerous electrical products and the repercussions of them — not only relating to cost and convenience, but also to life. The devastating fire of


Grenfell Tower happened four years ago which the subsequent reports showed started as an electrical fault (albeit the situation was exacerbated by other factors). Yet there are still products entering the market and being used which aren’t fit for purpose, haven’t been thoroughly tested, and importantly, aren’t certified. I’m passionate about safety in this industry above all else, which is why


I’m making it my personal mission — along with many in the sector who feel as strongly as I do — to encourage change. Of course, some of the lack of commitment to safety starts with manufacturers, but it’s the wholesalers who often unknowingly buy products without certification and which therefore can’t be proven to be 100% safe. Should such faults happen in the future, whether a minor fault causing mild inconvenience or expense, or much more serious problems such as a threat to life, they will absolutely have an impact on the wholesaler. It’s easy to assume that the products stocked and supplied are fit for purpose, but if the product isn’t certified, there’s just no guarantee. And that’s something that we as an industry should demand and be able to offer end users.


What can wholesalers do to protect themselves and their customers? Using suppliers who are happy to show proof of certification is a key way that wholesalers can ensure they lower the risk to themselves and their customers. Minimising how many suppliers used at a time – by choosing those with wider ranges of stock - can help wholesalers manage this process. As well as comprehensive testing by an independent third-party for all


surge and circuit protection devices, it should be routine for proof of certification to be requested by wholesalers whenever they are sourcing a new item.


If they increasingly ask, they’re not only protecting themselves and


customers in the future, but they’re helping to raise the standards across the industry. Only then can we slowly start weaning out those who are doing a disservice to the industry and whose products aren’t meeting the standards that we expect. Any reputable wholesaler would never knowingly compromise on safety,


but they just don’t have the guarantees they need unless they specifically ask for them. As an industry we need to look at the mistakes made in the past, such as Grenfell, and work hard to make sure something like this could never happen again. Asking for certification isn’t only going to be beneficial in terms of usage and standards for the electrical sector though; it can have a positive impact on the credibility of wholesalers. Those who supply products fully certified are actively showcasing their commitment to safety — which can only be a good thing. Plus, they’re putting themselves ahead of competitors who can’t demonstrate that same level of commitment. Ultimately, we need to collectively take a more considered and careful


approach when we start supplying products to be eventually used by the public. Ideally, we’d like to see everyone putting aside any competition there is for sales between companies – because this issue is much more important than that – to come together and jointly raise the standards in the industry. Let’s not wait until something goes wrong, let’s make asking for proof of


certification a routine question when sourcing a product, and help us stop harm coming to anyone because of a faulty device.”


ewnews.co.uk April 2021 electrical wholesaler | 27


Paul Dawson commercial director, Niglon


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