Improving electrical cable safety in Europe

Transcription

1 Improving electrical cable safety in Europe The European Association of Wire and Cable Manufacturers and National Associations Presentation to the European Fire Safety Alliance Thomas Neesen, Secretary General, Dr. Volker Wendt, Director Public Affairs Arnhem, 6 June 2017 Europacable, 58 Rue Marie de Bourgogne, 1000 Brussels 1

2 Introducing Europacable The leading European wire and cable producers World s largest cable makers providing global technology leadership Highly specialized SMEs from across Europe people globally of which more than 50% in Europe Over 20 billion turnover in 2014 Product scope covers full range of energy & communication cables Listed in EU transparency register & CENELEC Partner We are THE VOICE of the wire & cable industry in Europe 2

3 Introducing Europacable Our Members: Europe s Leading Wire & Cable Producers Associated Industry Partner 3

4 Europacable Member Associations 4

5 The European Cable Industry in Factories in Europe alone 27 BN Turnover in EU 70 BN Turnover globally Employees in Europe Employees globally 5

6 Europacable Objectives & Structure Our objectives Europacable is to be THE reference for people to turn to for technical questions on cables in Europe Three core areas: Europe needs more power grids Europe needs more bandwith Europe needs safer cables Raise visibility of European Cable Industry 6

7 1) Europe needs more power grids Our future is ever more electrified Integration of renewable energy sources Full integration of European energy market Electric cars, electric devices. Key facts: Some 40,000 km EHV power lines to be built/refurbished by billion of investment by % of distance to be covered by underground and submarine cables Underground and submarine cables will be key backbone technology for Europe s future electricity networks 7

8 2) Europe needs more bandwith Our future is ever more connected Gigabit Society Digital Revolution Industry 4.0 High quality telecommunication cables will form Europe s communciation infrastructure even when we go WiFi 8

9 3) Europe needs safer cables 20 years in the making: Construction Product Regulation (CPR) Harmonized Standard on reaction to fire performance for fixed cable installation in buildings Date of Applicability: 10 June 2016 End of transition period: 1 July 2017 Low Fire-Hazard cables increase the level of fire safety in case of fire Slower fire and smoke propagation Less smoke development Longer electrical operation in case of fire for lights, sprinkler systems etc. 9

10 3) Europe needs safer cables As of 1 July 2017, manufacturers, distributors, importers and installers must comply with new CPR specifications Euroclasses provide requirements for reaction to fire and form common basis for EU Member States to regulate Requirements are assessed against sophisticated large scale tests and are a prerequisite to placing products on the market Cables will be certified by Notified Bodies providing legal framework for market surveillance by European and national authorities Mandatory CE-marking of cables and Declaration of Performance as legal prerequisite to place cable products on EU market, and as passport for their circulation within the EU 10

11 3) Europe needs safer cables As of 1 July 2017, manufacturers, distributors, importers and installers must comply with new CPR specifications In principle, this is good news to increase fire safety in buildings across Europe BUT with a lack of awareness and no formal market surveillance to enforce them, come July, the public could be exposed to sub-standard cables posing real risk to their safety. Click here to learn more 11

12 . 3) Europe needs safer cables 3 questions we would like to explore with you today: How can we increase awareness amongst consumers, architects, distributors, construction people about CPR requirements? How can we increase awareness of danger of sub-standard cables? How could we introduce market surveillance systems of testing, naming andpossibly - even shaming sub-standard cables? We welcome the opportunity to explore possible cooperation with EFSA on the above! 12

13 Thank you for your attention The European Association of Wire and Cable Manufacturers and National Associations Europacable, 58 Rue Marie de Bourgogne, 1000 Brussels 13