BEAMA's Anti-Counterfeiting Work in Progress

  • Working with the investigation companies  EYE P, and Cerberus Security and Investigations  manufacturers in China and distributors in many Middle Eastern and African countries have been targeted, as well as containers in transit.
  • To date 17 brands are represented, and over 22.4 million products have been seized. · The Working Group have built up what is probably the best database of counterfeiters in the world for the electrical installation industry, which is passed to authorities worldwide for them to follow up in the local markets. · By publicising the Working Groups' activities through the counterfeit kills website, trade magazine articles, presentations, participation in conferences and the production of guides and posters it is hoped to raise the profile of this rapidly growing, potentially damaging threat to consumer safety and members' export business. ·
  • The Working Group has produced 2 short films which emphasise the dangers of selling, buying and installing counterfeit products and suggests action which key players in the supply chain should take to defer the counterfeiters. Over 20,000 of these films have been widely distributed in the affected areas.
  • Any manufacturer of electrical installation products worldwide with a problem involving infringement of its intellectual property rights is welcome to attend the Working Groups' meetings. · The Working Group is responsible for managing the various anti-counterfeiting projects, collecting and disseminating information on IPR issues, and responding to government and others on behalf of the association. It also offers advice and information to any company or association which has a problem with IPR issues.

Companies interested in attending an ACWG meeting to discuss their IPR problems, or companies wishing to join a project should email the ACWG

Counterfeit in all its forms today:

  • Represents 3.3 % of World Trade
  • Is a $509Bn (USD) annual global business
  • Is the world's greatest form of theft
  • Profits are linked to organised crime
  • Profits are linked to international terrorism
  • Mostly traded illegally - money laundering
  • Is more profitable than dealing in Class A drugs
  • Provokes serious issues of health and safety