Put onus on distributor

Reading the article 'The mark of Quality?’ about the conformation of CE (Security Installer, September 04), I really take exception to it.

Firstly, Julie Kenny tells us that there is no actual ‘policing’ system available to check this. So please tell us if it is actually illegal to use CE without some form of conformity or, if the manufacturer is happy, Is that OK? A small window of opportunity there then, for coach and horses.

If it is legal, maybe you would like to publish a list to “name and shame” so that we can all avoid these rogues and charlatans. Or, alternatively, just maybe some companies should have a little look at their pricing structure and be more competitive ... because it wouldn’t do for the poor installer to have a result now and again, would it?

As always, I notice it is the installer who should ask serious questions ... like we have time to phone companies and ask deep, probing questions. Possibly you could publish a list of these questions? Will these companies (whoever they are) own up and say “No, you’ve got us there then – no, we don’t comply, but we are £1 cheaper.”

Call me old fashioned or even cynical, but I thought that with a title that has “Security”, “Industry” and “British” in it, this problem – if there is one – must be sorted at a higher level.

You state “ What should installers look for?” What we should look for is the CE mark and be confident it is appropriate to that piece of equipment.

Surely the onus should be on the distributor. If they supply equipment to us marked CE, then we should be able to assume that it is approved by them, or, of course, the association they belong to!