Reconditioned & Copy Parts Know The Facts!

1. You may be putting your customers’ lives at risk if you use “Reconditioned” or “copy” parts which do not meet the Manufacturer’s original specifications.
2. The fitting of parts, which do not meet the appropriate safety Standards (e.g. relating to the appliance CE marking) is an offence under the “Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998”.
3. Installing such parts will invalidate the original Manufacturer’s Warranty.
4. Fitting non-approved parts could result in you not being indemnified in respect of a claim against the Manufacturer under Product Liability.
5. It is unlikely that an installer could succeed in passing on any claim against him to the insurers of a “reconditioner”, since a “reconditioner” of parts which then do not meet the Manufacturer’s original specifications would almost certainly not have any insurance himself.
6. Misrepresentation is a very serious matter. If your customer suffers loss or damage as a result, they are highly likely to take legal action against you or your company.
7. By law, every advertisement is required to be honest and truthful. Advertisements for “reconditioned” and “copy” parts may not comply with this requirement. The OFT andTrading Standards Office are empowered to take action against misleading advertisements.
8. If a part is sold as new or the impression is given that it is new, and is then shown to be reconditioned, this is a prosecutable offence under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968. The fitting of parts which do not meet the appropriate safety standards (e.g. relating to the gas appliance CE marking) is an offence under the “Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998”.
9. If “copy” parts carry the original Manufacturer’s trade mark, legal action can be taken by the trade mark’s owner. The original Manufacturer may act on the grounds that such a part has caused damage and loss to their business reputation.
10. Think carefully about the impact “rogue” parts could have, or if your company has been approved to ISO 9001, you may be failing to comply with the Quality Assurance requirements.

Remember -

What may seem a cheap option could be a very expensive mistake.
The Society of British Gas Industries recommends the use of genuine approved parts.