BASEC (British Approval Service for Cables) is a UK cable testing and certification service for both metallic and non-metallic cables and ancillary products, as well as Quality, Environmental and Health & Safety management systems.
BASEC operates in a number of sectors covering various types of cable including Data Communications, Fire & Security, Construction, Rail, Renewable Energy, Power, Marine, Oil Gas & Petrochemical, Nuclear, Aerospace & Defence.
BASEC, originally the British Approvals Service for Electric Cables, was founded in 1971 after being spun out of BSI to meet the needs of major cable manufacturers, installers, and users of cable in the electrotechnical and quality standards community. BASEC stakeholders include the British Cables Association (representing the UK and multinational cable manufacturers), the Electrical Contractors Association (representing users) and many other professional bodies and organisations in the fire, electrical and safety sectors, including representation from overseas users.
BASEC has a testing laboratory in the UK and now also in Dubai, testing a wide range of cable types, including low voltage power distribution and final circuits, flexible cables, rubber cables, control and signal cables, communication cables, medium voltage cables, utility cables, industrial cables, transportation cables (marine, railway and automotive), fire-resistant and fire performance cables, low smoke halogen-free cables, renewable energy cables, special purpose cables.
As an approvals organisation, BASEC is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). BASEC is the UK member of the European HAR scheme for harmonised cables.
In the field of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) Fire Testing of cables, BASEC UK is recognised as one of the UK-approved Notified Bodies.
BASEC Conformity Limited (BCL) – is recognised as a EU27 Notified Body to issue certification covering the CE mark.
