OSHA Approves NRTL Scope Expansion for SGS North America

New York, NY, November 19, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Testing Scope Expansion Approved for SGS North America.

OSHA has announced via a Federal Register Notice that the scope expansion application by the Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) SGS North America, Inc. has been approved. SGS’s additional scope covers devices in the categories of Household Products (http://www.sgsgroup.us.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Electrical-and-Electronics/Audio-Video-and-Household-Appliances.aspx), Lighting Products, and Industrial Control Panels. The Federal Register Notice asserts, “OSHA recognition of an NRTL signifies that the organization meets the requirements specified by 29 CFR 1910.7. Recognition is an acknowledgment that the organization can perform independent safety testing and certification of the specific products covered within its scope of recognition…As a result of recognition, employers may use products properly approved by the NRTL to meet OSHA standards that require testing and certification of the products.”

Testing Scope Expansion for Improved Services

“We were driven to give companies another option for Product Certification for the North American market in these product categories,” says Nicolas Bacheré, Managing Director for SGS Consumer Testing Services in North America. “Our solution eliminates the need to wait long lead times or test in multiple locations; it can all be done under one roof helping get products to market faster.”

This scope expansion is the latest advancement in the growing capabilities of the state-of-the-art SGS testing facility in Suwannee, GA. This facility offers the full suite of services and covers a wide range of products including Audio Visual, IT, Wireless, Medical, Household, Lighting, and other consumer and industrial electrical equipment. Services include:

- International Type Approvals (http://www.sgs.com/en/Our-Company/News-and-Media-Center/News-and-Press-Releases/2013/11/International-Type-Approval-ITA-Service.aspx) for Global Market Entry
- Product Safety Testing & Certification (http://www.sgsgroup.us.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Electrical-and-Electronics/Audio-Video-and-Household-Appliances/Certification/Electrical-Safety-Certification.aspx)
- Battery Testing and Certification (http://www.sgs.com/~/media/Global/Documents/Brochures/SGS-Battery%20Testing-A4-EN-12-V2.ashx)
- EMC (http://www.sgsgroup.us.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Electrical-and-Electronics/IT-and-Telecommunication/Testing/EMC-Testing.aspx) (Electromagnetic Compatibility), FCC Compliance
- Intrinsic Safety/Hazardous Locations Testing and Certification
- Wireless Testing (RF, SAR, etc.)
- Energy Star Testing and Certification
- Performance Testing
- Field Labeling

“This addition to our global capabilities adds benefits for both the North America and Global operations,” says David Chu, Global VP for CTS Electrical & Electronics. The global marketplace is so intertwined that this expansion also allows SGS customers at points of manufacture and distribution to have their products tested and certified for North American market entry in these new categories.

About SGS Testing and Safety for Consumer Goods

SGS Consumer Testing Services is a division of the SGS Group. 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 (http://www.sgsgroup.us.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Electrical-and-Electronics.aspx), 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.

For further information about Consumer Testing Services, please contact an SGS expert.

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 80,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,650 offices and laboratories around the world.