Intertek Labs Approved as Notified Bodies Under New EU Toy Directive

24 Oct 2011

Leicester, England & Heudebouville, France – Intertek, a leading provider of quality and safety services to a wide range of industries around the world, announces that its network of consumer goods testing laboratories now includes two European locations approved as notified bodies to conduct EC-type examinations and issue EC-type certifications. Intertek’s Leicester (UK) and Heudebouville (France) laboratories have been accredited to conduct this specific conformity assessment procedure under the new EU Toy Safety Directive.

One of only four notified bodies in the UK, Intertek’s Leicester laboratory recently received accreditation from the United Kingdom Accreditation Service and was approved by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Intertek’s Cofrac-accredited Heudebouville laboratory received notified body approval in March from the Ministère de l'Economie, des Finances et de l'Industrie. The Heudebouville laboratory is one of only seven notified bodies in France.

Under the new EU Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC, certain toys placed on the market in Europe after July 20, 2011, must undergo an EC-type examination and obtain an EC-type certification. The new Directive requires a manufacturer to perform an EC-type examination, using the procedures specified in Article 20, in the following cases:

1. where harmonized standards, the reference number of which has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union, covering all relevant safety requirements for the toy, do not exist;
2. where the harmonized standards referred to in point (a) exist but the manufacturer has not applied them or has applied them only in part;
3. where one or more of the harmonized standards referred to in point (a) has been published with a restriction;
4. when the manufacturer considers that the nature, design, construction or purpose of the toy necessitate third-party verification.

For more information about toys that require an EC-type certification, please contact one of the below:

Media Inquiries:
Donna Paterson, Intertek Consumer Goods (UK)
Phone: +44 (0)116 263 0330 ext. 355
Email: donna.paterson@intertek.com

Charlotte Leleu, Intertek Consumer Goods (France)
Phone: +33 (0)2 32 09 36 51
Email: charlotte.leleu@intertek.com 

About Intertek
Intertek (www.intertek.com) 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 30,000 people in more than 100 countries around the world.