This Christmas, according to the Trading Standards Institute, gift givers are bound to find a host of products that are either counterfeit, dangerous, or both. But nothing can spoil the season more than hazard-posing counterfeit electrical products like Christmas lights.

Make the season bright, but not with hazardous counterfeit Christmas lights. In the US, according to an article from prnewswire, counterfeit Christmas lights – 90+ of which are imported from China and including those with fake Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) labels – pose a threat to consumers for their potential inability to meet electrical safety and fire codes. In today's world of rapidly growing counterfeit crime (now a $130 billion industry), these traditional holiday decorations have become the latest "pawns."

In Canada, according to an article in citynews.com, consumers looking to save a few bucks amidst hard economic times continue to buy cheaper Christmas lights and accessories that are not approved for use by the Canadian Standards Association, the non-profit body that ensures that products meet safety requirements.

Experts say that warning signals for counterfeit lighting include:

• Surprisingly low prices
• Unusual labeling or certification marks
• A lack of sales tax on a receipt since counterfeiters generally don't report their sales
• Availability of the product at street vendors and unauthorized dealers

The Anti-Counterfeit Products Initiative

Now, American electrical contracting companies are springing into action – joining forces in an industry-wide effort to combat counterfeit electric products in the United States. The new Anti-Counterfeit Products Initiative aims to make fake wiring, switches, lighting, and pirated UL labels, among others, a thing of the past. Endorsed by NAED (National Association of Electrical Distributors), NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) and NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association), the initiative was launched with a panel discussion hosted by the Electrical Contractor and The Electrical Distributor (TED) magazines.

According to panelist Robert Crane, lead enforcement manager, Anti-Counterfeiting Operations, UL, Chapel Hill, N.C., "Underwriters Laboratories Inc., like many other Intellectual Property Rights and Trademark owners, has seen a dramatic increase in the amount of counterfeited products and trademark labels on those products in the past several years…For several decades, UL has integrated security features in many of its labels."

How holograms thwart piracy of UL labels

Since the UL, one of the world's premier product testing and certification organizations, first introduced a holographic label in 1996, it has continually redesigned it and added security features, each time making it increasingly difficult to counterfeit. Now, a new holographic UL Mark has recently been launched that will be required in 32 common consumer product areas, including power supply cords, nightlights and ceiling fans. The new label – introduced at the 2008 International Law Enforcement IP Crime Conference – incorporates cutting-edge technology, enhanced security features and a unique hologram design that makes it easy to identify and validate, but difficult to replicate. Features include:

• Gold background to help U.S. Customs officers and other law enforcement agencies, distributors, retailers and consumers quickly identify the new label
• Color shifting ink similar to that in the new U.S. paper currency
• Repeating pattern of floating UL symbols, a distinctive burst pattern around one of the floating UL symbols and wavy lines
• Additional covert security features to assist with the authentication of a UL holographic label

Additionally, UL has added another level of security via the UL Authenticator, a special credit card-size device that authorities can use to better identify counterfeit products.

According to Brian Monks, UL's vice-president of Anti-Counterfeiting Operations, "UL's new holographic label is the most recent elements in our efforts to protect and enhance the integrity of our UL mark...UL is the only product testing organization in the world whose label is backed with this level of security and technology."

Have a counterfeit-free, hazard-free Christmas.