Mera in drive to curb counterfeits

Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) has said it will open a counterfeit testing centre as one way of curbing the sale of renewable energy and electrical counterfeit products.

Mera renewable energy senior engineer Wilfred Kasakula told Business News last week in Blantyre the centre will be established following concerns of increased inflow of counterfeits on the market.

“We are aware of the numerous counterfeit products, both for the renewable energy and electrical installation, that appears to be cheap but with a short life span,” he said.

Kasakula said as a controlling measure, Mera has gazetted renewable energy standards and codes of practice.

Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama) spokesperson Maurice Nkawihe, in an interview, said there is need for consumers to be sensitised to counterfeit products and how they can detect them.

“We are equally concerned about the developments, but the most important thing is to educate the masses on the dangers of counterfeit products,” he said.