SGS Expands CPSIA Bicycle Testing Services to Additional Lab

FAIRFIELD, N.J., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- SGS Consumer Testing Services announced today that it is expanding its bicycle testing services for compliance with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008 from three labs to four, pending certification of the fourth lab by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The larger capacity will help meet rising demand stemming from the August 14, 2010, effective enforcement date for the CPSIA's regulations on mechanical bicycle safety.  

SGS labs in Shanghai and Tianjin, China, as well as Taipei, Taiwan, are currently accredited and CPSC-approved for bicycle testing under the CPSIA's 16 CFR 1512 rules. An established company lab in Guangzhou, China, is currently in the process of receiving the same accreditation.

When the fourth certification is complete, SGS will have more labs certified for 16 CFR 1512 testing than any other testing service. This broad coverage and availability of testing near the source of manufacture will help ensure rapid turnaround for SGS clients.

Under CPSIA rules, manufacturers and importers of children's bicycles produced after the August 14, 2010 enforcement date, must provide General Conformity Certificates (GCCs) supported by third-party lab test reports verifying that their products meet the established mechanical safety requirements of 16 CFR 1512 for all bicycle components. Bicycles not designed for children must meet the same requirements but compliance can be demonstrated through self-certification GCCs without third-party testing.

For children's bicycles, CPSIA regulations also require third-party testing for compliance with the current 90 ppm lead limit in paints and surface coatings. In addition, third-party testing for lead content in steel, aluminum and copper will be required as of July 1, 2011, unless the CPSC extends the stay of enforcement on that requirement.

SGS labs are certified to provide this lead testing as well as a full range of other bicycle-related services covering everything from raw materials to fully assembled bicycles. The company performs both chemical and physical testing to confirm compliance with manufacturers' requirements as well as regulatory standards in U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan.

"There have been numerous stays of enforcement on the CPSIA's bicycle regulations due to concerns over insufficient laboratory capacity for third-party testing. We are adding certification for these services to a fourth lab to meet the need for a bigger testing pipeline as well as to expand our ability to supply both mechanical and chemical bicycle testing," said Sanjeev Gandhi, Technical Director, SGS Consumer Testing Services.

All SGS labs accredited under the CSPIA program are ISO 17025-accredited, as required, and can test to ASTM F963 as well as other mandatory and voluntary standards for children's products. Reports provided by SGS can be used to create the certificates of compliance required to sell children's products in the U.S. market under the CSPIA legislation. Certificates of compliance are required for each stock keeping unit (SKU) subject to CSPIA rules.

More information about SGS bicycle testing services is available by emailing [email protected] or calling 800-777-TEST. More information about SGS is available at www.us.sgs.com.    

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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