Approved Cables Initiative

Approved Cables Initiative

• Launched in 2010

• First initiative of its kind

• An industry-wide working group with regulator support (HSE/TS)

• A trustworthy, reliable source of information

• Now aiming to bring the dangers of substandard and non-compliant cable to the attention of Parliament to initiate legislative change

Approved Cables Initiative

Key objectives: • uphold safety

• educate and better inform audiences of non-compliant cable issues – cable industry and member associations, legislative organisations, MPs, other industry sectors (construction/insurance)

• develop a closer relationship with distributors – to better understand the consequences of their actions

• create and communicate knowledge of suspect products – managing own testing of suspect cable

• press for legislative change to enforce product specifications and British Standards enabling better control over cable imports

• monitor new Market Surveillance and Product Safety Regulations (2015) and their potential impact on the cable supply chain

CHAPTER COVER ACI’s industry association supporters

Approved Cables Initiative

Active communications programme since 2010:

• Regular dialogue with cable supply industry trade titles - news alerts, advice and guidance articles

• Website updated weekly to reflect current news

• E-communication with subscribers to ACI news, MPs and LinkedIn discussion group members

• Visible presence at key industry conferences, trade shows and events

Approved Cables Initiative History of substandard cable news alerts: • 26 June 2013 Faulty cables fail to control radioactive waste safety valves • 17 March 2013 French customs seize counterfeit cable from Hong Kong • 13 February 2013 Homebase continues to sell defective cable • 10 December 2012 Technical guidance on `CCA' Cat 5e cable issues • 21 November 2012 Distributors invited to cable regulation seminar • 02 August 2012 Defective data cable recall from educational facility • 23 July 2012 ACI warning as discovery of problem with armoured cable • 29 May 2012 ACI takes cable concerns to Westminster • 27 February 2012 URGENT RECALL OF FAULTY FUSE WIRE • 01 February 2012 ACI warns of trademark infringement • 13 January 2012 ACI warns on misselling Cat 5e cable products • 12 December 2011 Online purchase uncovers dangerous cable • 09 November 2011 ACI delivers winter warning on arctic grade cable • 15 August 2011 CCA cables present new concern for installers • 29 July 2011 Fake Britain message hits home • 13 May 2011 BBC’s Fake Britain exposes defective cable • 27 April 2011 ACI reveals defective cable found in DIY stores • 21 February 2011 ACI receives international recognition for work • 20 January 2011 Faulty cable destroyed as ACI tightens its grip • 08 November 2010 Standing up to Counterfeit Cabling • 04 November 2010 True scale of Atlas Kablo faulty cable crisis is exposed • 12 October 2010 Know your cable choice inside and out

Some examples of substandard cable

Non-compliant PVC arctic grade flex

Non –compliant PVC arctic grade flex

Non-compliant armoured cables

Non-compliant PVC flexible cables

Fake fire resistant cables

Chinese flexible cable showing cracking of sheath and insulation

Non-approved BS6004 cable showing the effects of over hearting

Top cable – CCA Cable advertised and sold as CAT 5e

Non-standard, non-approved lighting cable

Faulty cable

Faulty cable

Legislative objectives

• To improve the quality of all cable available for sale and installation in the UK

• To protect the public from the use of substandard and non-compliant cable in the UK

• To improve safety standards for electrical contractors and installers within the UK building/construction industry when working with cables

• To provide clarity for cable manufacturers on the legal requirements for manufacturing cable for the UK

• To provide a clear explanation for cable distributors/importers/wholesalers on the legal requirements for all cables distributed within the UK

• To support and protect cable manufacturers that do produce cable products that are compliant with British Standards

Legislative objectives

• To protect contractors and installers from rogue cable imports which can affect their livelihood

• To help support new European Regulations for Consumer Product Safety Regulation and Regulation on the Marketing Surveillance of Products (due to be in force January 2015)

• To help improve quality and safety standards within the UK construction industry

• To set a standard within the UK which can be followed and adopted elsewhere in the world.

www.aci.org.uk

020 8946 6978 or 07973 636688

peter.smeeth@aci.org.uk or

peter.smeeth@btconnect.com