Intertek Hong Kong accredited to test toys entering the Gulf markets
08 Jan 2015
For exporters, importers and traders of toys in the Gulf region, meeting all safety and mandatory requirements in the markets can be a challenge. Following another landmark chapter with all the essential accreditations, Intertek Hong Kong proves again its worth in the supply chain management. By offering a one-stop solution for its customers in the toy industry, facilitating their entry into the markets, Intertek Hong Kong offers its customers an unrivalled level of hassle free services.
A presentation ceremony was held at Intertek Hong Kong office yesterday to award Intertek the certificate. In attendance were the GAC1 General Director and GSO Secretary General His Excellency Mr. Nabil A. Molla, Chief Executive of Intertek North East Asia, Ms. Christina Law, as well as industry professionals. The ceremony signified the beginning of a new chapter for the involved parties, benefitting all stakeholders.
The relevant accreditations came after Intertek Hong Kong had been accredited to applicable standards concerning conformity assessment and other general requirements for its competence of testing on children’s toys entering the Gulf markets2.
Speaking at the ceremony, Law expressed her appreciation for the organizations, GAC and GSO, for their leadership in establishing relevant standards with an aim to safeguard the safety of the public, while being pleased with Intertek Hong Kong as one of the first laboratories in Asia to attain full accreditation.
“It is our privilege to provide a one-stop solution for our customers, by offering services from safety assessment and full scope testing, to technical file preparation, all the way to certification,” she said. “We always keep customers at the forefront of all changes to testing methodologies, safety requirements, standards and regulations, so that our customers can be as efficient as possible in gaining access to different markets or implementing their strategic plans.
Toy market in the Gulf region
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a region that has one of the fastest-growing populations in the world. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit-prepared report The GCC in 2020: Outlook for the Gulf and the Global Economy, the region’s population is forecast to increase to 53million people by 2020, with 24% of the projected population under 15 years of age.
It is believed that the GCC offers great potential business opportunities to toy manufacturers, importers and traders thanks to a multitude of favorable factors, among them high toy spending per child and limited manufacturing capacities of toy in the region.
New safety requirements for toys in the Gulf markets
To ensure maximum levels of safety and health, since January 1, 2014 a new GCC Technical Regulation initiative on children’s toys (BD131704-1) has been enforced to monitor children’s toys in the local markets of the member states. Under this regulation, every consignment of toys from importers must be independently certified and get the mandatory G-mark before entering the GCC market.
Intertek Hong Kong is capable of conducting a comprehensive range of standard testing, examination and certification activities for its business partners who can be assured of timely assistance when it comes to getting all the procedures fulfilled.
Importantly, Intertek Hong Kong has ample experience in the fast-changing regulatory landscapes of emerging markets. Over the past several years, Intertek Hong Kong has attained a host of accreditations in significant emerging markets including South Korea, Brazil and Indonesia, helping its customers get past obstacles in logistics and language. The added services in emerging markets have complemented its all-round services established globally, including significant markets such as the US, Canada, Europe, Japan, Australia and mainland China.
Expert in toy testing
It has been four decades since Intertek Hong Kong started its consumer goods testing facilities in Hong Kong with the toy capacity test. Today the company employs more than 1,500 people and boasts a best in class super Chemical Centre, which is among the largest and most advanced commercial chemical centers in Asia. Intertek Hong Kong is now an integral part of the operation of the Intertek Group PLC, a FTSE 100 company.
With 130 years of history, a network of 1,000 laboratories and offices and 36,000 people in over 100 countries, the Intertek Group helps many of the world’s leading brands and companies as well as their suppliers take active steps to overcome ever-changing challenges. Intertek Hong Kong has become one of the most reputable brands in quality assurance.
1. GAC, Gulf Cooperation Council Accreditation Center; GSO, Standardization Organization for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf
2 .The Gulf markets of seven jurisdictions include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Yemen and Oman.