Trading Standards a potential partner

Over the last few years, we have been slowly bringing to the attention of UK Government departments, Public Sector and Local Authorities, evidence that simply relying on applying a ‘PAT Test procedure’ to imply that refurbished, reconditioned or reused Electrical Appliances are safe is a misnomer.  Check out our Article

We accept that It has its place, but sadly it can so easily lend itself to abuse from Rogue Traders, those with little or no technical depth and other repairers who are simply out to make a quick buck from unknowing consumers.  As a result we think it's time for unity across the UK and the EU, as most people are unaware of the fact that there is no ‘mandatory’ requirement to be ‘qualified’ to service, repair or refurbish white goods.  In fact anyone can essentially attempt to repair such Appliances without any accountability.  We believe consumers deserve a standard they can trust and one that is in their best interests, environmentally, financially and also delivers social benefits.

The above is further compounded by the fact that PAT Testing procedures being advised to be applied, were in fact designed for checking the ‘electrical safety’ of equipment used in the ‘workplace’ and therefore not specifically designed to suit the diverse issues and requirements that can be encountered in refurbished or reused Electrical Appliances.  It's even more important where goods have been retrieved from the Waste Stream, as they are returned to reuse through a Tick Box Protocol.  This was known as PAS141 or 142 but in White Goods Repair this was not fit for purpose as the correct tests for complete safety, did not take into account those involved in the tests, had no requirement to prove their depth of knowledge or recognised competence no agreed certification or qualification for the sector.  Therefore this wasn't a holistic approach, wasn't the most efficient sustainable method and did not take into account tat every home is a different electrical environment.  PAS 141 has now been parked and no longer in place.

We are big advocates of Reuse and Repair and in an effort to address the specific areas of weakness in the above, we seek to embed a more detailed and sector specific Standard through EEESafe Appliance Repairer Certification and will also connect to our LocalitEEE Community Platform with it's own Appliance Reuse Marketplace.   It's here that we can intercept products with known Fire Risks and monitor the Repairer's work, Repair History and ensure they follow our Standards compliance model.  We hope this will encourage more Safe Reuse and Repair through a Trusted and independent Brand. Competence in Electrical Repair is a must for the protection of Consumers, Properties, Green Skills and all stakeholders who work with White Goods. As a Non Profit organisation, working with us you will find out we are donating funds also for local citizens in need, who register their Appliances via EEESafe.  We need to work in a Circular Economy model, where we can show you in this quick animation.

We are currently communicating with the Trade Association Amdea and seeking endorsement of our Repairer and Certification Standards and devolve safety management to them, through Appliance registration in our new Website which is set for release at the end of 2022.

This is vital if we're to bring consumer behavioural change and raise awareness of CE and build a Trusted brand for consumers that commits to all the Social, Environmental and related Green Skills, to help develop more local repair work and tackle NetZero and Climate Change

To this end EEESafe is about to operate a process of Registration for a Competent Persons Standard, evidenced by Insurance Cover, correct equipment ownership for Testing, Calibration Certs and evidence of current Repairing in White Goods.  It also captures Safety Readings ensuring that Repairs are left in a safe state and where Refurbished Appliances are installed, again evidencing the goods are safer to use in the home, than when not carried out by the EEESafe Repairer.

We have over 55 years of experience in Training for Electrical Appliance repairs, which spanned a 40 year period in itself, training over 4000 Pre EEESafe cohorts.

Current Government Advice.

It's great to see that the Uk Government recommends a Competent Person when selling second hand Electrical Goods. Look out for EEESafe Competent Persons in the new year. Here's a look at their Advice. https://lnkd.in/e_5zM_gf  if you want to see for yourself.

Therefore current guidance from Trading Standards are potentially unsafe when it advises on what consumers should do when purchasing used Electrical Appliances.  Lets quote from one Local Authority, but remember other LA's will likely promote the same guidance or the above link.

We found advice given in an online Trading Standards document called “Electrical Equipment”, where it relates to selling an Electrical Item and the advice is “You should employ a qualified electrician to check the electrical items you intend to sell. “

However, may we suggest considering reviewing whether such a brief comment is the correct and safest guidance to give.  Especially in light of Government putting repair and reuse into the heart of policies. Right To Repair has now given us Millions of new uncertified repairers in the Electrical goods space. It's important to recognise now that consumers have a Right To Know who's repaired their appliances and if Manufacturers parts are being used, to main Product Conformance.

Once again this is further compounded by the fact that essentially ‘anyone’ can become a ‘qualified’ PAT Tester irrespective of having any pre-existing electrical depth of knowledge at all. This has resulted in a plethora of PAT courses being offered which are usually of only one or two days duration at the end of which a City & Guilds or equivalent qualification can be gained!!  May we suggest to Trading Standards and the Government that they enter “pat testing training courses” into your search engine and check out a few of the many sites for yourselves and how easy it is to become a ‘qualified’ PAT tester.

We see Trading Standards as a Stakeholder and potential partner to work with EEESafe for all the right reasons.  We hope you will engage with us and also help us create more local repair, and reduce the amount of goods leaving the local community when new items are replaced.

We promote training and repairing in the Community, and can through our model and with the right partners, to help create new jobs and embrace existing repairers willing to be accountable and promote a safer standard, trusted by consumers.