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Industry Comment


New Lighting Industry Association product inspection schemewelcomed


Lumilow Lightinghas welcomed the launch of the Lighting Industry Association’s (LIA’s) largest-ever, ongoing market surveillance initiative.


Lighting Industry Association in its UKAS accredited Telford laboratory. “We welcome the LIA move; as an LIA member, it will confirm both the excellence of Lumilow products and the transparency of our approach,” comments Andy Chell, Managing Director, at Lumilow. “The issue of non-compliance in the UK is a


F


serious one. We have to find ways to differentiate the best suppliers, like Lumilow, from the cowboys in the industry, who sell cheap, unsafe, poor quality imports. “I hope this move can be part of a wider shift


to highlight the best operators, and draw out those who undermine our markets and damage the sector's reputation.”


The need for transparency – a story of profit vs principle Chell explains that sadly, volumes of suppliers importing sub-standard goods from the Far East are rising. “This is a common issue when a young market


like LED scales up. We see more and more firms keen to invest in the advantages of sustainable light, which is great. This market interest means LED prices are falling in turn with increased demand. “The flipside is that the unscrupulous suppliers


rom January 2017, all LIA members will participate in random product inspections, to be performed by the


see potential for a quick profit, so they undercut the market with cheap, dangerous and unreliable LEDs. “When these inferior products fail early, fall


short of performance promises, or worse, cause electrical or fire damage, customer confidence in sustainable light is shattered.” Across all technology, it's very common for fast


growing markets to deliver their own compliance schemes at a certain stage. For LED, this stage has arrived now. The scheme will set out a clear difference between LIA member firms, selling high quality goods which are open to scrutiny, and the cowboy suppliers who only want to sell substandard lights and run off with buyers’ cash. “The bottom line is; while there are many


reputable non LIA members in the industry, choosing products from suppliers who are members of the LIA is one way that customers can really gain genuine peace of mind,” comments Chell.


What should the sustainable lighting buyer, consider? “It's a very simple story,” Chell explains. “Ask companies upfront about the LIA, but about their transparency too. “How long are their guarantees? Have they


ever visited the firms who make their LEDs? Do they even know what a sustainable supply chain is and are they willing to invest in it?


Andy Chell,


Managing Director, at Lumilow.


“Companies who can answer your queries


readily are likely to sell better goods. But more crucially, they will answer when you call for maintenance; they will take an active interest in you, because they understand successful and long lasting lighting for you spells ongoing success for their business too.” And, those firms who don't have ready


answers to hand should be avoided, and even reported to the LIA. “I always say, sustainability isn't just about a


product, it's about an approach,” Chell concludes. “A poorly manufactured, cheap LED isn't sustainable. It's probably made in poor facilities by underpaid workers in the Far East. That's why it's so cheap. And when it fails, the customer loses, those on poor wages in China lose, and the reputation of what we are trying to build – a more sustainably powered world – loses too. “You can stop this from happening. Seek LIA member suppliers. You'll save money, hassles and have a safer installation too. And you'll be doing your bit for greener manufacturing in China as well.


“Being an LIA member comes with costs to our company, and the product inspection process will certainly add to our costs. But, nonetheless, we feel that it is the right direction to take to raise standards in the industry sooner rather than later.”


www.lumilow.com


When these inferior products fail early, fall short of performance promises, or worse, cause electrical or fire damage, customer confidence in sustainable light is shattered.


20 | electrical wholesaler March 2017 www.ewnews.co.uk


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