I'm writing in response to the readers' letters regarding the implementation of the new harmonised cable core colours ('Coloured judgement' and 'Seeing red', EMC, May, p5).

The correspondents should by now be fully familiar with the need to complete our obligation to bring in this change after over 30 years. If not, they should see the IEE and ECA web sites.

As to the planning for this change, no one sat in dark rooms "conjuring up" anything. There has been a fully open consultation process leading up to the change, involving all appropriate professional organisations, trade associations and other affected parties.

Several of these organisations have produced literature, conducted seminars and done everything possible to make their members aware of the change, despite the decision by government departments to refuse any funding.

With regard to the timing of the change and availability of stock, the following applies:

  • the electrical industry, given the general problems associated with sustaining dual stocks, must change to use of the new harmonised core colour and effect this change quickly. While old colours can be used up to 2006, by then they will be largely unavailable – most manufacturers have already wound down the production of cables with the old core colours;
  • all British Cable Association (BCA) members had product available on the date of implementation;
  • it was not possible to phase in the product more effectively. Its use was prohibited until 1 April due to the status of revised standards and the validity of product licences. Stocks are now rapidly becoming available;
  • in the UK both contractor and manufacturer understand only too well "what's going on" and that "it's time to move on". The implementation of this change, after over two years of careful planning, has run to programme exceedingly well – a view shared by the ECA and BCA.

As this is the biggest change to the manufacture of cable and its installation since the introduction of metric conductors over 30 years ago, it must be considered, so far, a successful programme.