Mar 26 2010
Intertek (LSE: ITRK), a global leader in testing, inspection and certification, along with the British Board of Agrément (BBA), today announce a working agreement that will reduce the time it takes building product manufacturers to obtain an Agrément Certificate in the UK. Agrément Certificates are sought by architects and other industry decision makers in the UK and help open many doors for manufacturers that might otherwise remain closed. This agreement also extends to the CE Marking of products that fall under the Construction Products Directive for innovative products controlled by the European Organization for Technical Approvals (EOTA).
“We are delighted to be working with such a key global player as Intertek, and we are confident this agreement will benefit our many joint clients in the US and the UK,” says the BBA’s Chief Executive Officer, Greg Cooper. “This agreement will especially benefit those US companies looking to obtain BBA Approval for the UK or CE Marking for the wider European market.”
This working agreement between Intertek and the BBA – one of the UK’s major authorities on construction products, systems and installers – will help simplify the BBA approval process for manufacturers. It’s similar to the successful partnership recently launched between Intertek and the ICC-ES in the US. The agreement will also help manufacturers better understand the international approvals process. When a product is submitted for certification, both organizations will have dedicated staff working together, resulting in better coordination, understanding of requirements, shorter turnaround times, and faster time to market.
"This agreement is monumental in streamlining International certification processes for building products manufacturers," stated Deg Priest, Sr. Director of Operations, Intertek’s Commercial & Electrical products division. "It not only demonstrates the global reach of Intertek’s business, it also exemplifies our innovation and commitment to streamlining the certification process for our customers. This enables manufacturers to expand their business globally."
The Agrément process was set up by the Government in the UK to provide an independent assessment on the performance of building products, particularly with regard to their compliance with Building Regulations. An Agrément Certificate is awarded to a product only after it has successfully completed a comprehensive assessment, involving laboratory testing, on-site evaluations and inspections of the manufacturing operation.
The BBA is also active outside the UK. It has been designated by the UK Government both to issue European Technical Approvals and to represent the UK in coordinating the European Organization for Technical Approvals.
Source: http://www.intertek.com