Best Practices
Welcome to EFC’s Best Practices hub, tailored for manufacturers, distributors, and representatives. Explore a selection of guides and resources focused on enhancing key areas like IT, marketing, supply chain, HR, and relationship management. Collected from our Networks, Business Sections, and respected industry partners, these resources provide key insights and practical strategies to help you manage your organization’s complexities. Dive into our content and empower your team with the knowledge required to thrive both now and in the future!
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Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) Portal
Learn about the importance of installing protective AFCI circuit breakers and receptacles throughout your home.
Online Safety Guide for Electrical Products
Product certification = a trusted stamp for safety
Most electrical products that are advertised, displayed and sold online must be approved by an accredited certification body. These certification bodies evaluate and certify a broad range of products, including electrical, plumbing, personal protective equipment and others. Once evaluated to safety standards, a trusted certification mark is affixed to the product to provide consumers with confidence in knowing the product is safe*.
Before you add to cart…check for the certification mark!
Safety Guide for Purchasing Electric Motors for Use in Canada
Before you purchase Motors, ensure you purchase products that meet the Canadian electrical code requirements, apply to product standards, and are certified by a recognized certification body. The consequences of not purchasing certified products can create unsafe working conditions, be a legal liability to your company, and increase operational downtimes and costs. Motor Manufacturers members of Electro-Federation Canada developed this checklist to assist customers in purchasing safe and reliable motors that meet safety and quality standards.
Germicidal UV Devices in Canada
Electro-Federation Canada (EFC) is the voice for advocacy and the advancement of safe electrical products in Canada. EFC collaborates with government, certification agencies and regulators to promote the availability and safe use of approved electrical products. This portal serves to provide consumers, installers, regulators and other Canadians with timely resources and guidance on Germicidal UV (GUV) devices.
Reel Returns: Resources
This portal has been developed to provide one-stop resources for best practices and recommended storage and handling practices for reel returns.
Electrical Safety is Black and White: Grey Market Awareness
Download the poster and share it with your customer network
Five Shades of Green – Electric Heat: The Cleanest Form of Heat for Your Home
Canadian households are facing a period of dynamic change. Electrification is transitioning us away from gas, oil, propane and other harmful carbon-emitting types of energy – to ‘greener’, cleaner electricity to power the systems we rely on to live, work… and move.
Begin your own electrification movement at home by using electricity to heat your home – and experience the comfort, convenience, safety and efficiency that an electric heating system can provide.
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Supply Chain Network
Connected Business Assessment Toolkit
EFC has teamed up with the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) to offer an online toolkit to transform your organization’s digital journey. EFC members have access to two Connected Business Readiness Assessments that help identify gaps and uncover opportunities to expand digital systems, processes and services across your entire business – from sales and marketing to IT, operations, HR and customer service.
IT Network
Cybersecurity: Industry Best Practices & Resources
Cybersecurity is essential for today’s connected world. Every facility can become the target of a cyberattack – businesses, factories, banks, institutions, homes and even infrastructure such as electricity transmission grids. Cyberattacks are typically aimed at accessing, changing or destroying sensitive information; extorting money from people; or interrupting normal business processes.
This portal features best practices and actionable steps that your organization can take to establish safety protocols to keep data and systems safe. The cost of inaction can be substantial…
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CMG Best Practices: Resources for CEMRA Reps, Distributors, & Manufacturers
EFC’s CMG (CEMRA Manufacturers Group) committee has developed a resource package to share industry best practices that are proven when working with a rep agency. If your organization represents multiple suppliers or you’re a manufacturer or distributor, following these proven Best Practices can level-set your team against the competition.
Annual Planning Between Agency Reps and Manufacturers
Branch Visits with Manufacturers and Agency Reps 
Joint Calls Between Reps and Distributors 
Training Development for Manufacturer’s Reps
Rep and Manufacturer Contracts (*New*) -
NEMRA Best Practices
The following guidelines are available, at no charge, to EFC’s CEMRA and manufacturer members. CEMRA members can login using their account. Manufacturers can request copies by contacting nemra@nemra.org.
- NEMRA Anti-Trust Guidelines
- NEMRA Marketing Territories
- NEMRA Sample Non-Disclosure Agreement
- Compensation and Guidelines for Manufacturers and their independent Representatives
- Developing New Markets with Independent Sales Reps
- Establishing and Benefiting from Rep Councils
- Evaluation for Prospective Rep and Prospective Principle
- Handling Line Conflicts
- Marketing Promotions and Product Launches
- Negotiating Agreements Between Sales Representatives and Manufacturers (Contract Template)
- Negotiating an Agreement to Warehouse Consigned Stock
- Planning the Business Year
- Preparing Employment Agreements
- Profitability Through Communications and Performance
- Sub-Agency/Commission Representative Agreements
- Representative Agency Publicity and Promotion
- Technology and Communications
-
Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) Portal
Learn about the importance of installing protective AFCI circuit breakers and receptacles throughout your home.
View AFCI WebpageOnline Safety Guide for Electrical Products
Product certification = a trusted stamp for safety
Most electrical products that are advertised, displayed and sold online must be approved by an accredited certification body. These certification bodies evaluate and certify a broad range of products, including electrical, plumbing, personal protective equipment and others. Once evaluated to safety standards, a trusted certification mark is affixed to the product to provide consumers with confidence in knowing the product is safe*.
Before you add to cart…check for the certification mark!
View Safety Guide for Electrical ProductsSafety Guide for Purchasing Electric Motors for Use in Canada
Before you purchase Motors, ensure you purchase products that meet the Canadian electrical code requirements, apply to product standards, and are certified by a recognized certification body. The consequences of not purchasing certified products can create unsafe working conditions, be a legal liability to your company, and increase operational downtimes and costs. Motor Manufacturers members of Electro-Federation Canada developed this checklist to assist customers in purchasing safe and reliable motors that meet safety and quality standards.
View Safety Guide for Purchasing Electric MotorsGermicidal UV Devices in Canada
Electro-Federation Canada (EFC) is the voice for advocacy and the advancement of safe electrical products in Canada. EFC collaborates with government, certification agencies and regulators to promote the availability and safe use of approved electrical products. This portal serves to provide consumers, installers, regulators and other Canadians with timely resources and guidance on Germicidal UV (GUV) devices.
Learn MoreReel Returns: Resources
This portal has been developed to provide one-stop resources for best practices and recommended storage and handling practices for reel returns.
Learn MoreElectrical Safety is Black and White: Grey Market Awareness
Download the poster and share it with your customer network
Download PosterFive Shades of Green – Electric Heat: The Cleanest Form of Heat for Your Home
Canadian households are facing a period of dynamic change. Electrification is transitioning us away from gas, oil, propane and other harmful carbon-emitting types of energy – to ‘greener’, cleaner electricity to power the systems we rely on to live, work… and move.
Begin your own electrification movement at home by using electricity to heat your home – and experience the comfort, convenience, safety and efficiency that an electric heating system can provide.
Download Poster
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Supply Chain Network
Connected Business Assessment Toolkit
EFC has teamed up with the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) to offer an online toolkit to transform your organization’s digital journey. EFC members have access to two Connected Business Readiness Assessments that help identify gaps and uncover opportunities to expand digital systems, processes and services across your entire business – from sales and marketing to IT, operations, HR and customer service.
View ToolkitIT Network
Cybersecurity: Industry Best Practices & Resources
Cybersecurity is essential for today’s connected world. Every facility can become the target of a cyberattack – businesses, factories, banks, institutions, homes and even infrastructure such as electricity transmission grids. Cyberattacks are typically aimed at accessing, changing or destroying sensitive information; extorting money from people; or interrupting normal business processes.
This portal features best practices and actionable steps that your organization can take to establish safety protocols to keep data and systems safe. The cost of inaction can be substantial…
Learn More
-
CMG Best Practices: Resources for CEMRA Reps, Distributors, & Manufacturers
EFC’s CMG (CEMRA Manufacturers Group) committee has developed a resource package to share industry best practices that are proven when working with a rep agency. If your organization represents multiple suppliers or you’re a manufacturer or distributor, following these proven Best Practices can level-set your team against the competition.
Annual Planning Between Agency Reps and Manufacturers
This EFC best-practice document provides a practical framework for effective annual planning between agency reps and manufacturers, helping both parties align expectations, clarify responsibilities, and strengthen performance throughout the year.
View Downloadable PDFBranch Visits with Manufacturers and Agency RepsThis EFC best-practice document provides a practical framework for effective branch visits between manufacturers and agency reps, helping teams align objectives, present a unified front, and maximize value for distributors.
View Downloadable PDF Joint Calls Between Reps and Distributors This EFC best-practice document provides a practical framework for effective joint calls between agency reps and distributors, helping teams clarify roles, present a strong value proposition, and drive more productive customer meetings.
View Downloadable PDFTraining Development for Manufacturer’s RepsThis EFC best-practice document provides a practical framework for building and evaluating training programs for manufacturer’s reps, helping manufacturers and agencies identify skill gaps, align training to business goals, and improve performance across roles.
View Downloadable PDFRep and Manufacturer Contracts (*New*)This EFC best-practice document provides guidance on structuring fair and effective rep–manufacturer agreements, helping both parties clarify responsibilities, manage risk, and establish a strong foundation for long-term partnership.
View Downloadable PDF
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NEMRA Best Practices
The following guidelines are available, at no charge, to EFC’s CEMRA and manufacturer members. CEMRA members can login using their account. Manufacturers can request copies by contacting nemra@nemra.org.
- NEMRA Anti-Trust Guidelines
- NEMRA Marketing Territories
- NEMRA Sample Non-Disclosure Agreement
- Compensation and Guidelines for Manufacturers and their independent Representatives
- Developing New Markets with Independent Sales Reps
- Establishing and Benefiting from Rep Councils
- Evaluation for Prospective Rep and Prospective Principle
- Handling Line Conflicts
- Marketing Promotions and Product Launches
- Negotiating Agreements Between Sales Representatives and Manufacturers (Contract Template)
- Negotiating an Agreement to Warehouse Consigned Stock
- Planning the Business Year
- Preparing Employment Agreements
- Profitability Through Communications and Performance
- Sub-Agency/Commission Representative Agreements
- Representative Agency Publicity and Promotion
- Technology and Communications