Sira's statement after EECS closed by the HSE

Sira is currently trying to establish how a suitable service for EECS customers can be maintained in the UK, with the demise of the organisation

Sira Test and Certification is a notified body in offering electrical equipment certification to customers across the UK and Europe, with its specialist Hazardous Area Centre based in Chester.

From its Chester location, Sira offers certification of explosion protected equipment and systems.

David Lewis, Managing Director of Sira, has issued a statement about the closure of EECS (Electrical Equipment Certification Service) by the HSE.

"We are sad that a worthy competitor, for whom we have a great deal of respect, is to disappear.

We have worked well with EECS and our mutual competition has improved the service we both offer to the market." This news from the Health and Safety Executive only adds impetus to Sira's commitment to continue to improve its service, and to ensure that customers in the UK have access to the best and most cost-effective certification service for Products for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres.

David Lewis adds "We take what has happened at EECS as a warning to continue to improve, not as an opportunity to be complacent".

"There are more than twenty notified bodies within the European single market so the competition will continue to be intense.

The development of the international IEC Ex scheme means that there will be a further reduction in the number of certification providers, but Sira is determined to remain one of the leading players and will continue to improve service levels to meet the challenge." Sira is currently trying to establish how a suitable service for EECS customers can be maintained in the UK, with the demise of the organisation.

For manufacturers holding EECS certificates, it is important that the certificates remain valid and Sira is therefore liasing both with EECS and the DTI to ascertain how this can be achieved.

Sira is confident that, with the continued growth of its product certification business, it is in a firm position to offer a secure long-term service in the field of electrical equipment.

Additionally, any further growth in Sira's business will enable it to maintain the UK's strong position in the European market and the EC's technical structures that support it.

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