PALATINE, Ill. — Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, announced the launch of its Report and Reward Program in the United States to obtain information about companies and individuals making or supplying counterfeit Schneider Electric products, including its brands APC and Square D. Schneider Electric said it is working to ensure the safety of customers and the reliability and integrity of its brands.

“We are concerned about the counterfeiting of electrical products globally. Counterfeit products have a negative impact on the economy, mislead the consumer and, in the case of electrical products, have the ability to kill or injure someone or cause damage to property,” said Stephen A. Litchfield, deputy general counsel, Schneider Electric. “This program is designed to ensure we have the information we need to pursue every means possible to stop this illegal activity and to make the industry and public more aware of this critical safety concern.”

Schneider Electric’s program seeks to gain information about manufacturers and/or distributors of counterfeit Schneider Electric products, producers of counterfeit Schneider Electric packaging and labels, and facilities storing counterfeit Schneider Electric products, packaging, or labels. Counterfeit reports can be made two ways — in full details, which is eligible for a reward or anonymously, which would not be eligible for a reward.

Schneider Electric said it has been a leader in anti-counterfeiting initiatives working with various U.S. industry and government organizations to keep counterfeit products out of the market. The effort has kept more than 250,000 potentially hazardous counterfeit goods out of the marketplace and included filing 13 civil lawsuits against 40 companies involved in the manufacture, importation, and distribution of counterfeit products. Schneider Electric’s Report and Reward Program is open only to United States citizens. For more information, visit www.schneider-electric.us/go/counterfeits.

Publication date: 01/09/2012