Quality, safety and standards

We have a wide mix of news, events and issues in our latest issue of the BASEC e-bulletin but if you have any ideas of your own about what issues you would like to see in the e-bulletin, please don't hesitate to contact us at news@basec.org.uk

Submit your comment

The IET (formerly the IEE) has published a draft of the proposed revision of BS 7671 (The Wiring Regulations) for public comment.  The new document will be the 17th Edition of the Wiring Regulations, and are intended to be issued on 1 January 2008 and to come into force for new installations on 1 June 2008.  Comments must be submitted before 28 February 2007. BASEC will be making several comments in connection with cables, but in general supports the new draft as a good update of this widely used code. More...

Cables head at global event

BASEC Chief Executive Dr Jeremy Hodge is one of the key speakers at the World Wire and Cable Conference being held in Paris 10-12 June focusing on the theme of Creating Value and Controlling Risk in the wire and cable industry.

Business is better prepared

British businesses are becoming better prepared for disruption or disaster, according to the British Standards Institution (BSI) Business Barometer report. It found that 80% of FTSE 250 companies would expect to last up to a week before feeling serious detrimental effects of a disruption or disaster, just under half (45%) have comprehensive supply chain failure plans, 41% are fully prepared for business relocation and over half (51%) are very well prepared for IT systems failure. More...

Fire and security group welcomed

BASEC has welcomed the creation of a new group formed to support professional work in the fire and security systems installation industry. The Electrical Contractors' Association has launched the Fire and Security Association (FSA) as a specialist group to deal with lobbying, guidance and training to develop and maintain standards, particularly in the light of recent legislation and the Regulatory Fire Safety Reform Order. More...

Core colours changing in Hong Kong

The change to new wiring core colours in Hong Kong will be made from 1st July 2007 and BASEC is working with a number of Hong Kong SAR Government authorities and with cable-related businesses in Hong Kong to help ease through the transition.  

Steps to approval go online

In an effort to help cable manufacturers and users of cable understand the process of certification through BASEC, a summary of the BASEC's schemes is available online at the BASEC website. This provides a breakdown of the steps to certification including testing and re-testing, management certification schemes and the benefits of certification. More...

Perils of working at height

Electricians are still not managing working at height very effectively, as revealed by claims being made against employers. Norwich Union’s own claims research has highlighted that falls remain a major cause of injuries and fatalities. In one claim, valued at more than £200,000, an employee fell while working on a van that was located on a low loader. He was using a chair to stand on at the time.

Skills initiative gets go-ahead

Plans to adopt an employer-led skills and education system for the engineering sector, including electrical engineering, has received strong backing. An HM Treasury commissioned report announced that a move towards an employer-based system of building skills training would help improve the abilities of key workers in the UK and would narrow the gap between skills in Britain and those in other countries.

Events for the diary

Electronic India, Pragati Maidan, New Dheli, 6 & 7 Feb - India's major electronics trade show withwith a conference held simultaneously.

Middle East Electricity, Dubai, 11-14 Feb - hosted in one of the most lucrative power markets in the world. Conferences, seminars and special programmes will be running concurrently with the exhibition.

The ECA Annual Dinner , Grosvenor House, London, 13 Feb - a major focal point for those in the electrical industry to get together, including contractors, specifiers, designers and distributors.

Railtex 07, Excel, London, 20 & 21 Feb - dealing with all matters concerning rail transport. With traffic on the UK's main line rail network continuing to rise, passenger rail usage is now greater than at any time since the 1960s.