April 30, 2013 – Eaton is collaborating with Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC, in the States) to promote electrical safety and raise awareness of the dangers of counterfeit electrical products. The effort will focus on the dangers of counterfeit electrical products as part of a broader outreach effort during National Electrical Safety Month this May.

“The leadership role Eaton is taking to educate all facets of the electrical industry about the dangers of counterfeit electrical products is helping reduce health, safety and economic dangers,” said Thayer Long, executive vice-president and CEO, IEC National. “As we help our members face the challenges posed by the ever-changing world of the electrical industry, the importance of electrical safety and avoiding counterfeit electrical products is a message that can save lives and prevent injuries and property damage.”

In May, Eaton and IEC will collaborate on a survey to IEC members aimed at studying the current awareness of counterfeit electrical products in the electrical contracting industry. Results of the survey will help build future awareness campaigns aimed at combating electrical counterfeiting.

Eaton will also share insights into the prevalence and dangers of electrical counterfeit products from the viewpoint of an Eaton Certified Contractor Network instructor with an article in IEC’s Insights magazine and a concurrent session at the IEC National Convention & Electric Expo in Portland, Ore., this September.

“Eaton is committed to anti-counterfeiting technologies and programs. From the new circuit breaker authentication tool launched last fall to our collaboration with IEC, we are striving to provide each individual along the supply chain with the knowledge and tools needed to avoid counterfeit electrical products,” said Tom Grace, brand protection manager, Eaton’s Electrical Sector Americas. “All forms of counterfeiting are unacceptable, but electrical product counterfeiting has dangerous implications for the industry and the public.”

Eaton collaborates with electrical manufacturer associations, the supply channel and government agencies worldwide to raise awareness of counterfeit electrical products and enforce anti-counterfeiting measures. It recently launched its new “I Didn’t Know” awareness campaign focused on the dangers of and ways to avoid and identify counterfeit electrical products.