SGS Becomes Authorized TSCP Certification Body for New U.S. Toy Safety Certification Program

SGS Consumer Testing Services announced today that it has earned accreditation as a certification body under the new Toy Industry Association (TIA) Toy Safety Certification Program(R) (TSCP). With the accreditation by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), SGS can provide TSCP certification services designed to help toy manufacturers and importers comply with U.S. safety regulations, streamline their safety assurance processes, minimize recall risks, and protect their brand equity.

Benefits of certifying toy products under the TSCP include:

    --  Efficient compliance with the third-party testing, General Conformity
        Certificate and Certificate of Compliance requirements of the Consumer
        Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA).
    --  Cost savings due to the elimination of redundant testing to meet
        multiple retailer testing protocols, as well as reduced risk of
        import/export/on-time delivery problems related to safety documentation.
    --  Easier compliance with CPSIA tracking label requirements through access
        to online information via the TIA's Electronic Certification System.
    --  Overall risk mitigation, including the ability to identify potential
        hazards early in the engineering stages when changes can be made at
        minimal cost.

    --  The right to display the TIA certification mark when it is released in
        2010.

Toy companies can apply for TSCP product certification immediately. The program went live on October 1.

"The TIA's Toy Safety Certification Program is a major step forward in addressing the safety challenges that confront the toy industry on a daily basis. It should be a cornerstone of every toy company's safety assurance regimen," said Dr. Sanjeev Gandhi, Technical Director, SGS Consumer Testing Services. "Our TSCP accreditation builds on our deep expertise in toy safety and commitment to offer the technical knowledge, resources and tools to assist manufacturers and importers as they implement this important program."

The TSCP was developed with input from U.S. government bodies, consumer groups, toy companies, retailers, toy testing labs, and factory auditing companies as well as officials and industry representatives from China and the European Union. SGS was among the industry stakeholders participating in the process.

SGS's TSCP accreditation adds to the company's extensive portfolio of toy testing and certification services, including accreditation of twenty-two SGS labs around the world as third-party CPSIA testing laboratories by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

More information about SGS's TSCP services is available by contacting SGS at uscts.inquiries@sgs.com. More information about the TSCP is available at www.toycertification.org.

About SGS Consumer Testing Services

SGS Consumer Testing Services, a division of the SGS Group, is the world's leading verification, testing and certification company. The company's comprehensive testing, product inspection, process assessment and technical services cover the entire supply chain from product development to retailing for electrical products, wireless products, soft line products, hard line products and food products. SGS' global network and expertise provide a single consolidated source that can help manufacturers, suppliers and retailers reduce risk, improve efficiency and product quality, and ensure compliance to both national and international standards. Parent company SGS Group has more than 50,000 employees and over 1,000 offices and laboratories in 140 countries. For more information about SGS Consumer Testing Services, visit www.us.sgs.com/cts

SOURCE SGS Consumer Testing Services

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