May 26, 2009

The County Executive of Suffolk County, New York, has recently approved the Toxin Free Toddler and Babies Act, banning the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in beverage containers for children age three and under. This new act will take effect 90 days after filing in the Office of New York’s Secretary of State. Initial violations will be subject to a civil penalty of $500 USD and subsequent violations will be subject to fines of $1,000 USD.

A growing number of cities, counties, states and countries are working towards eliminating Bisphenol A (BPA) from consumer products. This month, Chicago was the first US city to ban BPA in food and drink containers for children under the age of 3 effective in 2010. Minnesota State adopted a similar ban this month. In addition, Canada was the first country to ban BPA in baby bottles last year.

Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical widely used today to make a hard, clear plastic called polycarbonate. It is used to manufacture a number of consumer products including reusable water bottles and baby bottles. There is a growing public concern about the potential harmful effects BPA may have on human health, especially that of infants and small children. Several studies have linked constant exposure to Bisphenol A leaching from plastic to diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other illnesses.

“The vast growing number of legal requirements imposed on consumer products will require businesses to review the safe use of chemicals in their products”, stated Joel Pekay, Global Marketing and Business Development Director of Intertek’s Health and Environmental Services. “Companies need to strongly consider current and future chemical restrictions and apply such in their product design”.

Intertek offers manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers Compliance Assurance Solutions to effectively meet chemical regulations; and global testing services to verify the level of Bisphenol A (BPA) in products. Utilizing Intertek’s vast wealth of restricted substances experts and laboratories worldwide, Intertek provides assistance with restricted substance legislation compliance for a wide range of industries. Intertek’s commitment is to deliver safe and effective solutions to facilitate its customers’ success in the global marketplace.

For additional information about Intertek’s restricted substances services, please contact our experts directly at green@intertek.com or visit www.intertek.com/green.

Contacts
For further information, please contact

Joel Pekay
Global Marketing and Business Development Director
Health & Environmental Services
Telephone: +1 630 481 3126
Email: joel.pekay@intertek.com

green@intertek.com
www.intertek.com/green

---

About Intertek Health & Environmental Services (www.intertek.com/green)
Intertek Health & Environmental Services offers the complete solution for global, regional, or local compliance, providing sound traceability systems and strict enforcement of due diligence policies. Intertek does more than simply help our clients comply, we give them the competitive advantage they desire. Our Services offer comprehensive solutions for RoHS, Restricted Substances, CPSIA, REACH, California Proposition 65, Carbon Management, and Greenhouse Gas reduction, including on-call consulting, testing and analysis, legal representation, certification, and corporate education appropriate for all types and levels of business. Intertek Health & Environmental Services is a leader in global environmental compliance, consulting, technology services and product stewardship.

About Intertek (www.intertek.com)
Intertek (ITRK.L) 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 100 countries around the world.