"Rogue, dangerous cable to be eradicated in collaborative pledge to cable a safer Britain".

Today, the Approved Cables Initiative (ACI) launched its proactive and co-ordinated plan to investigate and address the issue of unsafe, non-approved and counterfeit cables in the UK marketplace. With an audience of electrical industry professionals, trade organisations, legislators, media and members of parliament, this new industry-wide initiative has the objective to communicate, educate and raise awareness of this serious issue.

The UK market for electrical cables and systems has an approximate value of £2Bn. It is estimated that up to 20% of cable product in the cable systems supply chain is unsafe, non-approved or counterfeit*, resulting in a major concern for the entire industry, from manufacturer through installer to end user, who may not even be aware of the significant health and safety threat it poses or the legal ramifications for the organisation or individual. The ACI, with industry and regulator support, will be taking a determined approach to educate the electrical industry about purchasing and installing such cables and raise awareness of the existence of unscrupulous manufacturers and distributors.

The launch, held in Westminster, was hosted by the British Cables Association (BCA) with widespread support from industry trade bodies including the British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC), Electrical Distributors Association (EDA); Electrical Contractors Association (ECA); Electrical Safety Council, and the NICEIC Group Limited. The objectives, targets and imminent actions of the ACI were outlined in a presentation by Michael Simms, President of the British Cables Association (BCA).

To find out how to become a supporter of the ACI or for more information visit: www.aci.org.uk.