The International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC) estimates that $200 billion is lost, annually, due to counterfeiting activity in the United States. Not only are there economic implications, but public health and safety issues are of great concern.

In fact, Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the world leader in product safety testing and certification, and the U.S. Customs Service/Dept of Homeland Security have partnered in an extensive and unprecedented nationwide anti-counterfeiting initiative. This effort will help protect American consumers from unsafe and counterfeit products from around the globe.

Brian Monks, Underwriters Laboratories, anti-counterfeiting operations leader and member of the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC) board of directors, understands the importance of having an anti-counterfeiting plan in place. As part of Brian's IACC responsibilities he works with the IACC board and staff to develop training and education programs for U.S. and overseas governments to help combat counterfeit products from entering into the global marketplace, while raising awareness of the public safety threat that counterfeit products may pose. His mission, as well as the IACC's, is to improve intellectual property enforcement standards.

Manufacturers Able to Gain Mutual Acceptance of Components

In a related move, Underwriters Laboratories Inc (UL) and the Canadian Standards Association International (CSA) signed an agreement to develop a mutual component acceptance program that provides acceptance of components used in end products submitted to UL or CSA for certification/listing. Therefore, each organization will accept the other's certification or listing of end-product components, such as low voltage distribution and industrial control equipment.

The mutual component acceptance initiative allows manufacturers of electrical end-products to obtain both UL and CSA certification without having to work with two individual organizations, which also helps decrease overall testing costs and time to market.

Gus Schaefer is UL's senior vice president and chief operating officer of the U.S. and Canada markets, and is an expert when it comes to component acceptance.