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South Africa battles growing counterfeit electrical and electronic products.

Semiconductors and Electronics

Business Honor
09 January, 2024

South Africa faces a rise in counterfeit electrical and electronic goods, posing safety risks.

South Africa's electrical and electronic goods market is experiencing an influx of counterfeit products that do not meet the country's safety standards and regulations. These counterfeit goods, which include circuit breakers, light switches, and other common electrical items, are increasingly flooding the market, especially from regions such as the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Asia. Andrew Dickson, an executive at CBI-electric engineering, revealed that most of the counterfeit products are replicas manufactured in countries like China, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish them from authentic products.

The entry of counterfeit electrical goods is problematic because most counterfeit products are successfully smuggled into the country undetected, especially at the customs. Many of these products look very much like genuine products, thus making it quite challenging for regulatory authorities to distinguish between the two products. They subsequently end up with unsuspecting customers. The major market for the counterfeit goods remains the informal sector, but they can now be easily found in most small hardware shops.

In addition to counterfeit electrical products, South Africa is also grappling with fake wireless devices. Products like Bluetooth adapters and Wi-Fi routers are being sold online without the necessary regulatory approvals. For instance, many e-commerce platforms such as Temu offer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth products that lack approval from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) or the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS). These certifications ensure that devices do not interfere with the local wireless network and are safe to connect to the electrical grid.

Other things include the spread of fake news concerning 5G routers, whereby several are claiming to offer 5G but can only do 4G. Due to the rising fall into these deceptions, consumers realize more than ever the importance of buying products certified from genuine brands. Dickson says, if the deal appears too good to be true, then it is. Fake and uncertified items may pose harm and lack reliability.