Compliance & Precision News Round-Up - Issue 54

This issue covers:

Electrical Safety First backs review of product recall processes
Updated directives take effect soon
Decline in chip sales
Fault Simulation – What is it and why should you be doing it?

Electrical Safety First backs review of product recall processes

Electrical Safety First (ESF) has welcomed the latest review of processes and systems for the recall of unsafe products.

Commenting on the new Review of the UK’s System for the Recall of Unsafe Products, Phil Buckle, Director General of Electrical Safety First, said: “We are delighted this long awaited Review has finally been published and offers recommendations we have long called for. Electrical Safety First has been raising awareness of the safety issues presented by dangerous recalled electrical goods – millions of which still exist in UK homes - for several years.

“We fully support the Review’s primary call for a method of coordinating the recall system - and for better sharing of information by the industry, which is something our annual product safety conferences have consistently highlighted.”

The Government’s response to the Review includes the development of an online recall ‘centre of excellence’, to provide a single point of reference for consumers and business. It has also committed itself to establishing an industry-led steering group to support this.

“We would hope that our expertise in recalls and consumer protection would be of value to this enterprise”, adds Phil. “However, as the Review itself makes clear, without an effective and properly resourced market surveillance and enforcement system, both consumer safety and business reputations are being put at risk.” More at www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

Updated directives take effect soon

The revised Low Voltage (LVD) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directives come into force in April.

The LVD covers the health and safety risks of electrical equipment while the EMC prevents such equipment disturbing or being disturbed by electromagnetic emissions from other equipment or interfering with radio and telecommunications.

The two Directives were revised to align with the EU’s ‘New Legislative Framework’, which provides greater clarity regarding the obligations of manufacturers, importers and distributors. Consequently the technical provisions and standards used to demonstrate compliance remain broadly unaffected. One key addition is that the new LVD will require the brand name or trade mark to be marked on equipment (on the packaging if this is not possible).

In addition, the new Radio Equipment Directive (RED) is also to be introduced in the coming months and will repeal the Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive (R&TTE). Importantly, RED will cover any domestic appliances that have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth communication functionality. More details here

Decline in chip sales

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has announced worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $26.9 billion for the month of January 2016, 2.7 percent lower than the previous month’s total of $27.6 billion and 5.8 percent down from the January 2015 total of $28.5 billion.

Sales into the Americas were particularly sluggish, decreasing 5.9 percent month-to-month and 16.9 percent year-to-year. All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average.

“Global semiconductor sales decreased in January across most regional markets and product categories, largely due to softening demand and lingering macroeconomic headwinds,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. “Despite these challenges, modest market growth is projected for 2016, following essentially flat sales last year.”

Regionally, sales decreased in most regions: China (-0.4 percent month-to-month/+4.3 percent year-to-year), Europe (-1.7 percent/-7.7 percent), Japan (-3.3 percent/-5.1 percent), Asia Pacific/All Other (-2.8 percent/-6.5 percent), and the Americas (-5.9 percent/-16.9 percent). Details at www.semiconductors.org/news/

Fault Simulation – What is it and why should you be doing it?

Nathan Barwell, Product manager for our Compliance & Precision division at Seaward has written an interesting article about fault simulation and how often it should be performed.

You can read the full article here.