Precision, quickness and enthusiasm in certifying
With a network of 1,000 laboratories in over 100 countries, Intertek boasts a more than 130 years long experience in the field of safety and certification and proves to be a global partner that is able to assist its clients thanks to innovative Total Quality Assurance services.
In Italy, Intertek’s headquarters are situated at Cernusco sul Naviglio near Milan but more offices can be found over the whole national territory, including the Lastra a Signa (Florence) lab, a reference centre for consumer products tests, with toys in the forefront due to market relevance, consumers’ attention and available technical capabilities. As to toys, Intertek is indeed a one-stop-shop for compliance checks through dedicated services of Assurance, Testing, Inspections and Certifications. Thanks to their long-term background and huge technical know-how, the Lastra a Signa lab professionals are able to identify the best strategies in order to minimize and manage risks all along the supply chain. Furthermore, the global network of labs allows them to support the companies as regards their presence in any destination market in the world.
“Precision, pace and enthusiasm are the words at the core of Intertek’s activities: they characterize the company”, says Dario Bianchi, Business Development Manager Toys & Hardlines (Italy). “They refer to the precision that the toy lab professionals apply in their job, the quickness in complying with requests and their involvement in the mission of making the world a safer place. Through its 360° services for safety and quality in protection of people, sites and assets, Intertek takes its clients along a sometimes winding course to the compliance with the 2009/48/CE Directive on toy safety and product sustainability”.
The latest data the European Commission has released about the EU Safety Gate system show that in 2021, although with a lower notification share (about 20%), toys still are among the riskiest products, just behind motor vehicles: “The sheer number of notifications and the vulnerability of the consumers the products are addressed to – children – highlight the importance and the delicacy of the procedures verifying toy compliance”, notes Bianchi. “Every country has its own technical standards concerning the toys’ compliance requirements and checking methods. Therefore, compliance with the European regulation does not automatically imply compliance with the current standards in markets such as USA and Canada, Australia, China, Russia and Persian Gulf countries (GCC)”.
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