Intertek Expands Consumer Product Testing Capacity & Quality Solutions in Response to New Global Legislation
28 Nov 2008
In direct response to customer demand for excess testing capacity and robust quality solutions, Intertek, an internationally recognized and accredited third-party testing partner, now has 9 state-of-the-art laboratories accredited for children's goods under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). Additional Intertek labs across the globe are expected to be CPSIA certified within the coming months and have or are in the process of expanding their operations to accommodate both industry and customer demands.
Intertek, the leading provider of quality and safety solutions to a wide range of industries worldwide, are reaching out to customers requiring assitance in complying with new global legislation such as the CPSIA (enacted in August 2008). New certification requirements, phthalate and lead limits, mandatory third-party testing requirements, newly prohibited acts and many other provisions of the CPSIA provoke significant questions to manufacturers, importers, private labelers, distributors and retailers of consumer products. An 8-fold increase in maximum civil fines, Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) & US Customs' authority to seize and destroy imports not in compliance, and the empowerment of all 50 state attorneys general to seek enforcement of many federal product safety laws and standards, raises the stakes considerably for companies worldwide.
Intertek is offering a full suite of robust quality solutions in conjunction with the CPSIA including in-depth consultation, training, timely and frequent analysis of customers' products and processes for setting legal and procurement specifications, implementation strategies for compliance across the entire supply chain, data collection, verification, product line reviews for new certification requirements, track labeling system development, monitoring, risk assessment, and more.
"Strategically preparing our customers for the new import safety laws and policies that are rapidly evolving by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and US Customs is our primary concern. Just as our customer's business environment changes, Intertek changes in support of our customer's needs." said Gene Rider, President of Intertek Consumer Goods North America. Intertek has recently invested heavily in additional staff, work rotations, and innovative equipment for lead, phthalate, and BPA testing in their US labs as well as abroad to increase both customer scaleability and speed-to-market in wake of new standards and regulations imposed.
Intertek's global network includes offices and laboratories strategically located in key cities and major ports across the world including both in China and in the US. Intertek continues to expand its footprint and capabilities worldwide to meet client-demand for increased support in quality control and safety services across a wide range of industries.
About Intertek’s testing and certification services
The Commercial & Electrical division of Intertek provides testing and certification services, including product safety testing and certification, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing, performance testing, and management systems certification. These services provide global market access to customers in industries such as cables and wiring accessories, electronics, household appliances, IT, industrial machinery, medical devices, telecommunications, and wireless technology.
About Intertek
Intertek is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers' products and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace.
Intertek has the expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through its network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 23,000 people in 110 countries around the world.