Local authorities take action against fake refrigerant dealers

Honeywell has announced that local authorities in Saudi Arabia have seized nearly 3,500 cylinders of counterfeit refrigerant being fraudulently sold under the Honeywell Genetron brand name. The seizure was part of a joint effort between the company and local law enforcement, the company revealed.

According to local authorities, the counterfeit refrigerant was marked Honeywell’s Genetron 134a and shipped to Dammam Port, Saudi Arabia from China.

Honeywell said that on its part, it has intensified its anti-counterfeit efforts in the Middle East over the past two years, and pointed out that in 2011, the combined efforts of police, customs, local municipalities and other government officials resulted in the seizure of approximately 6,000 cylinders in the UAE of materials branded as Honeywell Genetron 134a, but that actually contained dangerous toxic and flammable substances. The company added that it has actively pursued counterfeits for over 10 years with successful seizures in more than 20 countries covering six continents. During the last two years alone, working with local governments, it had seized more than 200,000 counterfeit products, it claimed.

It reiterated that it is continuing its efforts to build awareness among end-customers about the risks of using counterfeit products. These include creating posters for garages and service stations that explain how dangerous it can be to use non-genuine products.

Honeywell emphasised that all Genetron refrigerants went through extensive tests to assure quality and safety, and that these properties could be guaranteed only when buying the refrigerant from Honeywell-authorised suppliers.

“We continue to take the necessary aggressive actions in cooperation with law enforcement and other government authorities to ensure that users get the high-quality product they need as well as ensuring its safety,” said Paul Sanders, Managing Director for Honeywell Fluorine Products in Europe, Middle East, Africa and India. “These efforts have resulted in seizures around the world.”