Intertek Labs in the Americas and European Union Gain Notified Body Status for Gulf Mark (G Mark) Scheme
05 Apr 2016
Facilities in Brazil, United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Sweden Join Previously Approved Locations to Broaden Global Footprint of Offering
Chicago - Intertek, a leading quality solutions provider to industries around the world, announces the approval of five additional labs as notified bodies to test and certify low-voltage electrical products for the Gulf mark (G mark) scheme. The Gulf Standards Organization (GSO) and Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) have granted the designation to two Intertek locations in the Americas and three in Europe. These labs join Intertek facilities in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore as approved bodies, allowing Intertek to deliver more localized services to clients seeking to enter the Gulf market.
The facilities approved as G mark notified bodies have a wide reach across the American and European continents. They are located in:
- São Paulo, Brazil
- Arlington Heights, United States
- Leatherhead, United Kingdom
- Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany
- Kista, Sweden
“The expertise of our teams in the Americas and Europe has proven to be a valuable resource for this accomplishment and for our customers,” said Bruce McGill, Vice President of Global Certification at Intertek. “With this designation, we can now more quickly and easily help customers access the Gulf region by providing the necessary services to obtain a G mark.”
The G mark was developed by the GSO to ensure product quality and safety for certain low-voltage electrical equipment and appliances being sold in participating countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Yemen. As of July 1, 2016, it will be mandatory for all low-voltage electrical products entering the marketplace to bear a G mark. Products defined within List 2 of the regulation will require third-party intervention from a notified body to examine, test and recommend a product for the scheme.
As a G mark notified body, Intertek has been recognized as a conformity assessment body, accredited under ISO 17065 and notified by the GSO and GCC to be deemed competent to conduct product verification and certification to the G mark standards. The prime function of a notified body is to conduct product life cycle capability governing the design, manufacturability, and in-service life of electrical/electronic appliances. In addition to its G mark notified body status, Intertek has multiple notified body facilities under the EU Directives in Europe, which extend into North America and Asia, as well as co-licensed and own-branded certification schemes such as CE marking in the EU and the ETL mark in North America.
Intertek, a global leader in product testing, inspection and certification, helps thousands of manufacturers meet regulatory, industry, and customer-specific requirements for product safety and quality. The company has a global network of ISO 17025 accredited laboratories and is one of the world’s largest issuers of IECEE CB scheme certificates, which aligns with G mark because a majority of products initially in scope are based on the IEC 60335 HOUS standard for electrical safety and EMC.
About Intertek
Intertek is a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide. From auditing and inspection, to testing, training, advisory, quality assurance and certification, Intertek adds value for its customers by helping improve the quality and safety of their products, assets and processes. With a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 38,000 people in more than 100 countries, Intertek supports companies’ success in the global marketplace, by helping customers to meet end users’ expectations for safety, sustainability, performance, integrity and desirability in virtually any market worldwide. Visit www.intertek.com.
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Contacts:
Derek Silva
Director, Global Products Marketing
978-263-2662
derek.silva@intertek.com
Cheryl Prejsnar
Public Relations Manager
630-481-3185
cheryl.prejsnar@intertek.com