Intertek Launches New State-of-the-Art Consumers Goods Technology Laboratory

17 Feb 2009

Intertek, a leading provider of quality and safety solutions today opened a new laboratory and office in Mumbai to support continuing demand for services from Indian and international companies in India. Intertek is a global market leader in testing and inspection services for textiles, footwear, toys, hardlines, supply chain services, sustainability services and other consumer products. Intertek’s services test and evaluate products against safety, regulatory, quality and performance standards, and certify them against customers’ own operating standards.

Despite global economic pressures, demand for Intertek’s services in consumer goods industries continue to grow in India, driven by industry and customers’ demand for safer products. In particular, demand for testing of domestic retail goods remains strong as Indian retailers seek to protect their brands, textile, footwear and toy testing following increased regulations and government interventions regarding the quality and safety of goods. Across India, Intertek’s business has grown over the past year, with more than 44 labs and offices in total, rising from 30 to 44, and total number of employees of 1050 – more than three times that of a year ago.

Intertek expects its Indian consumer goods business to grow strongly for the next year, driven by the increase in domestic retail testing market from the impact of global quality, safety and environmental regulations introduced and expanded in the past year. These include the introduction of the US Consumer Product Safety Information Act, the EU’s new ‘REACH’ chemicals legislation beginning its various take-effect stages, and extensions and greater enforcement of the EU’s ’RoHS’ product hazardous substances regime. International companies that are sourcing or manufacturing in India are increasing their demand for consumer goods testing and other supply chain services to ensure products samples, their supply chains and suppliers meet with the standards and requirements of new laws.

Mr. Dilip Gianchandani, Regional Director of Intertek’s Consumer Goods business in India said, “Despite the global meltdown and market swings, our consumer goods business continues to experience strong demand in India. With our new dedicated laboratory in Mumbai we can further our support and services needed by clients . International retail buyers are looking at alternative markets as they want to diversify the supplying countries, so India is a natural choice offering competitive rates. We expect to sustain and maintain the double digit growth we have achieved in the last 6 months.”

Intertek has an uncompromised reputation for accuracy, integrity and confidentiality and is a long term partner to a wide range of manufacturers, retailers and importers around the world. Monitoring supply chains for retailers and manufacturers in addition to implementing ethical standards to support corporate social responsibility are but a few of the extensive range of services that Intertek offers as part of the services in the decision.