EFC Business Sections: Turning Member Expertise into Industry Impact
At a glance: 11 Business Sections, 70+ participating members, 100+ projects
EFC Business Sections harness members’ expertise to address common priorities and advocate on behalf of the industry.
Through 11 product-focused Business Sections, more than 70 participating EFC manufacturers collaborate to influence codes and standards, coordinate responses to regulations, and raise awareness of issues affecting the electrical industry.
This work also strengthens EFC’s role as a trusted partner to standards development organizations, regulators, government bodies and other industry associations.
EFC’s Business Sections continue to grow. Over the past six months, ChargePoint joined the EV Charger Section and EXM joined the Enclosures Section. EFC welcomes both companies and the expertise they bring to their respective Sections and active projects.
To support the expanding scope and complexity of Business Section work, EFC has strengthened the way members collaborate on issues affecting multiple product categories. The former EFC Technical Advisory Council, or ETAC, has evolved into three groups with distinct areas of focus.
The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) addresses strategic codes and standards issues affecting multiple Business Sections. The Regulatory Advisory Committee (RAC) provides guidance on cross-sector regulatory matters, while the Section Advisory Council (SAC) brings together the chairs and vice-chairs of each Business Section to strengthen governance and shared processes.
Leading these groups are Todd Hamden of Hubbell, TAC Chair, and Vladimir Gagachev of Eaton, TAC Vice-Chair; Dip Patel of Leviton, RAC Chair, and Rodney Barteau of Eaton, RAC Vice-Chair; and John Johnson of Nexans/ElectroCables, SAC Chair, and Les Heidrich of Hubbell, SAC Vice-Chair.
EFC congratulates the newly appointed leaders and thanks them for contributing their time and expertise.
Broadening EFC’s Codes Advocacy
One example of the Business Sections’ expanding scope is EFC’s growing engagement with Canada’s national model codes.
Building on decades of participation in the Canadian Electrical Code, EFC is starting to broaden its involvement with the National Building Code, National Fire Code and National Energy Code for Buildings.
It has become clear that the intersection between the building and electrical codes has significant impact on how members’ products are designed, tested and installed. Members have identified several challenges including duplicative testing and inspection, misaligned energy efficiency requirements, and uncertainty about proper installation methods.
Six projects are currently underway across the Lighting, Distribution Equipment and EV Charger Sections to strengthen EFC’s engagement with the building codes and ensure members’ perspectives are represented.
Raising Awareness of Unapproved and Counterfeit Products
Product safety is another priority affecting multiple Business Sections.
A re-established task group is working to raise awareness of the safety risks associated with unapproved and counterfeit electrical components, sometimes known as “Grey Market” components. The issue has continued to grow, in large part due to the expansion of online sales.
The task group will produce content to help educate contractors, consumers and other end users, while seeking partnerships with organizations that can amplify this important safety message. This is also an opportunity to include EFC Distributors and capture their unique perspectives on this topic.
The Business Sections Team
Supporting the new advisory committee structure and growing scope are three new members of the EFC Business Sections team.
Ioan Buzdugan, Director of Standards and Business Sections, joined EFC with experience in the automotive and industrial automation sectors. He supports all Business Sections, facilitates TAC, RAC and SAC, and leads strategic projects and partnerships.
Lavindi Richards-Harvey, Business Section Manager, moved into the role from another position at EFC. She supports the Lighting, EV Chargers, Dry-Type Transformers, Joint Transformers, and Motors & Generators Sections. Her current work includes extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations affecting Lighting and other Business Sections.
Aleksandra Mucibabic, Senior Manager of Standards and Business Sections, joined EFC with experience in electronics manufacturing and industrial automation. She supports the Wire & Cable, Wiring Supplies, Distribution Equipment, Industrial Controls & Automation, Enclosures, and Field Services Sections. She also leads codes and standards initiatives across all Business Sections, with a particular focus on the Canadian Electrical Code.
Get Involved
Business Sections are strongest when members contribute their expertise, raise emerging issues and participate in shared initiatives.
EFC manufacturer members interested in joining a Business Section, and members interested in contributing to the Grey Market task groups, can contact Ioan Buzdugan or learn more about EFC Business Sections.