The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has urged consumers and other industry players to be cautious of fake ERC seals, stickers, and false meter test reports.

In a statement, the ERC noted that some electric meters are being sold in physical and online stores without its approval, while some of them bear fake seals, stickers, and spurious meter test reports.

“We urge all industry players and consumers to verify with the ERC whether meters purchased from these sources have been type-approved, tested, and sealed,” it stressed.

According to the regulator, only type-approved electric watt-hour meters are allowed for revenue metering by distribution utilities (DUs) and redistributors as mandated by law, rules, and other regulations.

Meters must also undergo testing as well as ERC sealing before being installed in consumers’ premises to ensure the required quality for customer use is followed.

“Meters tested by the ERC are subsequently sealed by the meter division to guarantee accuracy, provided the seals remain untampered. A tested and sealed meter comes with a corresponding meter test report, which includes details such as the date of testing, the name of the ERC personnel who conducted the test, and the meter’s accuracy level,” the regulator explained.

An accurate meter will assure a correct result for electricity consumption, while a non-ERC-approved meter cannot be a basis for the consumer’s monthly electricity bill.

While fines and penalties have yet to be released, the ERC ordered DUs to include this advisory in their consumers’ monthly bills issued to their distributors within their franchise areas.