ETRI has recently identified the presence of counterfeit products falsely marketed under the ETRI brand, including on major and well-established online marketplaces. These products are sold as original ETRI fans but are not manufactured, certified or approved by ETRI.

The counterfeit products mainly concern compact axial fan ranges, including 148VK, 125X, 98XH and 129X. These models are widely used in industrial, electronic and thermal management applications, making them particularly attractive targets for counterfeiting.

ETRI wishes to inform its customers, partners and distributors of this situation in order to help them identify non-authentic products and make informed purchasing decisions.

Why counterfeit fans represent a serious risk

Using counterfeit fans can have significant consequences for equipment manufacturers and end users. Unlike genuine ETRI products, counterfeit fans:

• Do not comply with ETRI’s design, manufacturing and quality control processes
• May fail to meet declared performance, airflow or lifetime specifications
• Can present reliability, safety and compliance risks, particularly in critical or regulated applications
• Offer no traceability, warranty or technical support

Choosing genuine ETRI fans ensures long-term reliability, consistent performance and compliance with international industrial standards.

How to identify a genuine ETRI compact axial fan

To protect your applications and installations, ETRI strongly recommends carefully checking the product label before purchasing or installing a fan.

Key points to verify include:

• ETRI logo

The logo displayed on the label must correspond to ETRI’s current official logo. Outdated or incorrect logos may indicate a counterfeit product. Valid logos are the followings:

                                 

• Country of origin

Our ETRI fans are not produced in China or India.

• VDE certification code

If a VDE code is present on the label, this is a clear indication that the product is not authentic.

ETRI no longer uses VDE certification for its current production ranges.

Careful inspection of these elements can help identify counterfeit products before they are introduced into your equipment or supply chain.

The importance of purchasing from trusted sources

ETRI recommends sourcing fans directly from ETRI or from authorized ETRI distributors.

You can check the list of our distributors.

While counterfeit products have been identified on large and reputable online marketplaces, purchasing from non-authorized sellers significantly increases the risk of receiving non-authentic products.

When pricing, availability or labeling appears unusual, additional verification is strongly advised.

In doubt? Contact ETRI to verify product authenticity

If you have any doubts regarding the authenticity of an ETRI fan, do not install or use the product before verification.

ETRI encourages customers and partners to contact us directly with:

• Photos of the product and label
• Purchase source information
• Part number and serial number, when available

Our technical and commercial teams will assist you in verifying the product and ensuring that your application is equipped with a genuine ETRI fan that meets our quality, performance and reliability standards.