Counterfeit Electric Products And Services A Serious Threat To Consumer – Eaton

Kenya has had increasing cases of counterfeit electrical products which have continued to pose significant risks to consumers. The Anti-Counterfeit Authority in July 2021 confiscated suspected counterfeit electronic products worth Sh5 million from several traders in Nairobi County. In an interview with Capital Business, EATON Regional Manager East…

Kenya has had increasing cases of counterfeit electrical products which have continued to pose significant risks to consumers.

The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) in July 2021 confiscated suspected counterfeit electronic products worth Sh5 million from several traders in Nairobi County.

In an interview with Capital Business, EATON Regional Manager East Africa,Parag Mendiratta spoke on the dangers of counterfeit products and what their firm is doing to reduce the impact of the products.

How does the presence of counterfeit electric products and services affect your business?

The presence of counterfeits and substandard electrical products in the market affects our line of business in the sense that it leads to poor business reputation and confidence in electrical products regardless of the manufacturers for some of the products that we sell. This is because Look-alikes and counterfeit products intentionally deceive the buyer ‘fooling’ them into thinking these are genuine or related to the original product. Could you quantify in terms of sales and reach? The global trade of all counterfeit goods reached just over half a trillion dollars in 2016 which amounts to 3.3 percent of world trade.

What are some of the dangers posed by counterfeit products?

Some of the products which appear to be good without proper diligence could be highly dangerous. Others equally have the potential to cause fire, injury, and even loss of life.

As an electrical products manufacturer, what are you doing to minimize the impact of counterfeit products in Kenya?

At Eaton, we put the safety of people, property, and the sustainability of the environment first, which is why we recognize the importance of helping ensure that our customers use and install genuine Eaton products. Tackling this growing global industry problem head-on, Eaton works with industry bodies and government authorities and supports local anti-counterfeit agencies and global customs authorities to take legal action against these counterfeits.

We also ensure that our suppliers meet a strict Supplier Code of Conduct, including a specific Counterfeit Product Prevention Policy. Through these measures, we require our suppliers to have robust processes and procedures in place to ensure that materials, components, and products they supply to Eaton are free from counterfeits.

What are some of the systems you put in place to ensure only genuine Eaton products reach Kenyan consumers?

We have an Eaton Asset Manager app that leverages intelligent technology to detect counterfeit Eaton products. With a single tap, users can quickly authenticate the product before purchase and have access to any product information on products that have been installed in their homes or commercial buildings while on the move. Combined with Eaton’s unique QR code capabilities on specific products, the app allows users to easily authenticate Eaton products through our propriety anti-counterfeit system.

We also have a reporting system that allows users of our products to report any products that have alterations or don’t seem genuine. This then allows us to better monitor, and report counterfeited products.

We have authorized distributors in the region. This ensures that our customers have easy access to genuine products that are authenticated by Eaton.

Do you have any partnerships in Kenya to tackle the counterfeit menace?

In Kenya, Eaton works with suppliers that are well trained and that distribute approved electrical products certified by all relevant bodies.We also work with the Anti Counterfeit Authority to sensitize different stakeholders on different ways to authenticate electrical products and champion the safety of all electrical products

We conduct periodic trainings for ACA team in Kenya & familiarize them with the use of tools like, Eaton Asset Manager to restrict counterfeits of our brand.

How is your company adopting sustainable energy?

The transition to a more sustainable, low-carbon future is accelerating. This energy transition is driven by the progressive replacement of carbon-based fuels with renewables, clean air regulation and the direct and indirect electrification of more applications. More distributed generation and electrification is increasing bi-directional flows of energy and the associated requirement for intelligent power management to balance the grid.

From renewable energy systems, to easing the integration of additional electricity sources to meet future demand, the energy transition unlocks the door to a low-carbon energy future. Through our Everything as a Grid approach, advancing technologies and digital intelligence, we are increasing and optimizing the energy the world relies on.

Everything as a Grid is our perspective on, and approach to, leading and managing the change in how energy is distributed and managed. Utility power once flowed in a single direction away from centralized sources. Today’s modern power flows bi-directionally, back and forth through the grid, between an increasing number of decentralized renewable generators, microgrid energy systems and electrical loads at the edge, to offer cleaner, more reliable power across the world.

SOURCES: Capital business