Are you Safe from IOT?

So the Chancellor Phillip Hammond from the UK Government announces the National Cyber Security Centre.   There's obviously concern about Security and rightly so.

This is increasingly the case in the Sale of the latest Gadgets and Appliances for your home.  The NCSC states that “data from breaches is often sold to criminal groups who use the details to craft phishing emails”

The Chancellor also stated that more appliances in your home will be connected in the future, and we've already seen Electrical Retailers move into the sales and support of IOT solutions.

This means you are more at a threat than ever. Instead of looking in your fridge to see what's needed, or switching your lights off manually, you've not only introduced a new gateway to your private identity, you won't need to think or exercise to conduct such menial tasks.

Manufacturers are already using your data to sell warranties and communicate with you when you sign up to their UNSAFE Appliance Register.  The image here shows a very recent email from their register, used for marketing purposes.  We were told by the UK Government BEIS department that they would not conduct such activity, but we fear a certain naivety is prevalent in that department.

The MP Margot James and her department are already supporting this Register from Manufacturers  This is despite the fact that Manufacturers have a long history of inaction when it comes to Product recalls.  Millions of pounds of Taxpayer and Consumers money have been spent because of their inaction.  Many fires, anguish and loss of lives have also happened as a result of this same inaction.

We are involved with the Government in their current review, however we've met with silence when we asked if they were aware of the conflict of Manufacturers Policing their own Safety???

The Ministers Department have previously agreed with us that we are safer than the minimum required by UK law.  They also agreed with us that the skills of an Electrician are not directly transferable to the White Goods Repair Sector.

So safety isn't just about Recalls and Depth of Knowledge on Appliance Repairs, it's also about Privacy when you purchase a New Appliance, and dispose of the old one.  Particularly as there are tonnes of gold and other critical materials that businesses will pay you, if you sort them locally.

Our LocalitEEE Project believes local communities should take charge of these materials, material streams and repairable products.  By increasing reuse and safely separating Electrical Components, they can engage with Registered Waste Partners of EEESafe, and increase local jobs, local skills development and Local Social outcomes.

The UK Government already been informed of our Competent Persons Scheme of Certified Domestic Appliance Technicians. (DAT) and Domestic Appliance Refurbishers (DAR) who commit to our standards and reporting requirements.

We highly recommend working with our Register, where homes, people and neighbours are not only safer, but we can ensure you can easily and safely dispose of your old appliances to protect the environment and deliver evidenced social outcomes.

We are the only organisation who can and do intercept Recalled Items that are put up for donation or sale in the Used Appliance Sector.  This is a problem UK Government are trying to overcome and to which we've offered our assistance.

EEESafe is currently engaging in joint solutions and funding for an EU and International Appliance Safety Register.  Following Brexit, we could be the first UK company offering an EU solution to the United Kingdom.  Ironic or crazy?  You decide.

You can download your own copy of our Safety Register Leaflet by Clicking HERE.

As part of the many good reasons for using EEESafe, we are looking at the potential to also ensure Safe Disposal of Electrical Items, where data is destroyed before Reuse and is encompassed in a Standard Consumers can Trust.