The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has urged all electrical professionals to ensure that they are using genuine copies of its current IET Wiring Regulations.
The call comes as the IET has been made aware of a number of counterfeit copies of its publications for sale through various channels. It warns that following misinformation in these fake copies could be devastating for electrical professionals and the general public at large – with missing or corrupted information potentially leading to unsafe work being carried out which could result in fire, electric shock or even death in the most extreme cases.
To help combat the counterfeit activity, the IET has placed a hologram on the inside front covers of the following titles: BS 7671:2008+A3:2015; On-Site Guide to BS 7671:2008+A3:2015 and Guidance Note 3 (7th Edition).
The new measures taken will make it more difficult to counterfeit IET publications and make it easier for individuals to identify genuine copies of the IET’s books. The hologram contains the IET logo in two sizes and the word “GENUINE”. There are also extra identifiers, some of which can be seen with a magnifying glass.
As a registered charity, the IET has a responsibility to uphold standards and ensures that all proceeds from genuine books go back into the organisation – this meaning that it can continue to provide safe and reliable information for those professionals working in the electrical sector.
Geoff Cronshaw, Chief Electrical Engineer at the IET said: “Ensuring that genuine copies of IET publications are being used by electrical professionals is imperative in order that correct standards are used to protect the public and those working in the industry from injury and fatality. The new measures that IET has put in place will help electrical professionals to identify genuine copies of new IET publications much more easily and stem the flow of counterfeit materials coming on to the publications market.
“My advice to people looking to buy a copy of any IET publication would be to buy it directly from the IET if they are in any doubt about the supplier they are making a purchase from, or to consult the IET’s list of validated suppliers in the UK. What’s more electrical professionals can also take advantage of a subscription to IET’s new Electrical Standards Plus platform – providing the most up-to-date material currently published by IET.”
For more information on the hologram, and what to do if you suspect you have a fake book, see www.theiet.org/fake-regs-pr.
For a list of suppliers, created by the IET, from whom you can be sure you are purchasing genuine copies, seewww.theiet.org/genuine-pr.
