Intertek and the BBA Partner to Improve International Trade for Building Product Manufacturers

March 25, 2010 - PRLog -- Chicago, IL – Intertek (LSE: ITRK), a global leader in testing, inspection and certification, along with the British Board of Agrément (BBA), today announce a working agreement that will reduce the time it takes building product manufacturers to obtain an Agrément Certificate in the UK. Agrément Certificates are sought by architects and other industry decision makers in the UK and help open many doors for manufacturers that might otherwise remain closed. This agreement also extends to the CE Marking of products that fall under the Construction Products Directive for innovative products controlled by the European Organization for Technical Approvals (EOTA).

“We are delighted to be working with such a key global player as Intertek, and we are confident this agreement will benefit our many joint clients in the US and the UK,” says the BBA’s Chief Executive Officer, Greg Cooper. “This agreement will especially benefit those US companies looking to obtain BBA Approval for the UK or CE Marking for the wider European market.”
   
This working agreement between Intertek and the BBA – one of the UK’s major authorities on construction products, systems and installers – will help simplify the BBA approval process for manufacturers. It’s similar to the successful partnership recently launched between Intertek and the ICC-ES in the US. The agreement will also help manufacturers better understand the international approvals process. When a product is submitted for certification, both organizations will have dedicated staff working together, resulting in better coordination, understanding of requirements, shorter turnaround times, and faster time to market.

"This agreement is monumental in streamlining International certification processes for building products manufacturers," stated Deg Priest, Sr. Director of Operations, Intertek’s Commercial & Electrical products division. "It not only demonstrates the global reach of Intertek’s business, it also exemplifies our innovation and commitment to streamlining the certification process for our customers. This enables manufacturers to expand their business globally."

The Agrément process was set up by the Government in the UK to provide an independent assessment on the performance of building products, particularly with regard to their compliance with Building Regulations. An Agrément Certificate is awarded to a product only after it has successfully completed a comprehensive assessment, involving laboratory testing, on-site evaluations and inspections of the manufacturing operation.

The BBA is also active outside the UK.  It has been designated by the UK Government both to issue European Technical Approvals and to represent the UK in the co-ordinating European Organisation for Technical Approvals.



Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Nicole Kimmick, Field Marketing Manager
Telephone: +1-978-263-2662
nicole.kimmick@intertek.com
http://www.intertek.com

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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 24,000 people in more than 100 countries around the world.

The Commercial & Electrical division of Intertek provides product testing and certification services, including safety testing and certification, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing, and performance testing. These services provide global market access to customers in industries such as Audio and video products, Automotive, Building products, Cables and wiring accessories, Electronics, Gas appliances, Household appliances, HVAC, IT, Industrial machinery, Installation accessories, Lighting, Medical devices, Power supply, Security, Semiconductor, Telecommunications, Wireless technology etc.

For further information, visit http://www.intertek.com

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The Commercial & Electrical division of Intertek provides product testing and certification services, including safety testing and certification, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testiIntertek 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 24,000 people in more than 100 countries around the world.

For further information, visit http://www.intertek.com