SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published an article looking at how regulatory compliance is no longer sufficient to compete competitively in challenging global markets.

Consumer product markets are governed by legislation covering multiple provisions – from safety and performance to labeling and recyclability. Simply compliance testing against mandatory standards is no longer enough to succeed in heavily regulated markets. Taking a proactive, holistic approach that considers both current and future market developments, giving companies an advantage.

SGS’s Consumer Compact article looks at the problem of succeeding in modern consumer product markets and considers the advantages of going beyond basic compliance testing. It details the issues and looks at the new SGS Beyond solution.  

Read the original Consumer Compact article, ‘Innovation Helps Consumer Goods Manufacturers Go Beyond Basic Compliance’

SGS Beyond

SGS Beyond helps manufacturers to optimize their product’s route to market. with SGS Beyond. This consultancy solution goes beyond testing and inspection to create a holistic approach that adds value to a product while giving competitive advantage. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested.

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For more information, please contact: 

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About SGS

We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 93,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

Safer Places Inc., a firm providing pre-employment screening, tenant screening and security consulting, today announced it will offer COVID testing as part of its package of services for public agencies and private sector businesses. The testing services will be offered as a standalone offering or bundled with Safer Places, Inc.’s other background check and drug testing services.

Safer Places, Inc.’s COVID testing services will include both rapid tests and PCR testing for employees who need to be tested on a weekly basis or before visiting a client’s location. The new service can also be utilized for employees returning to work after being out with COVID. Testing will be self-administered by the employee.

“Here’s how it works, employees will be able to download an app to their phone and administer the test at home or wherever it’s convenient,” said David Sawyer, president of Safer Places, Inc. “A government-issued ID and facial recognition software are utilized with the app to verify and document the employee’s identity. The entire process is captured on video, including the results if it’s a rapid test. Instructions and a process to follow are given for the PCR testing.”

Companies and organizations can order COVID test kits can from Safer Places, Inc. that can be implemented without the validation process. Safer Places, Inc.’s COVID test offering includes a vaccination tracking system as well.

Pricing for COVID testing program starts at $15 for a single test and varies depending on the number of kits, length of engagement, type of test and other details. Some employers may want the employee to pay for their own test so the staff member can be reimbursed through their health insurance company. Safer Places can handle individual billing.

“One thing that’s become abundantly clear is we will be dealing with COVID and it’s variants for the foreseeable future,” said Sawyer. “Developing a workplace testing process will be key for companies looking to ensure a safer workplace for employees and visitors to your business.”

For information on Safer Places, Inc. COVID test programs or its other background check, customized screening and drug testing services, visit www.saferplacesinc.com or call 508-947-0600.

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, reminds suppliers of metal cookware in Brazil that a new ordinance has been published detailing consolidated technical regulations and conformity assessment requirements.

Issued on December 28, 2021, by the Ministry of Economy/National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO), Ordinance No. 499 relates to metal cookware that is only for use in ovens and on stoves. This is clarified in the Ordinance with the following specifications:

• Cookware to be used in ovens, including baking pans, trays or other metal cookware with a similar function: no more than 75 cm base or diagonal diameter
• Cookware to be used on stoves, including water baths, casseroles, steam cookers, kettles, popcorn makers, pots, woks, teapots, coffee pots or other cookware with a similar function: no more than 17 L volumetric capacity
• Cookware to be used on stoves, including grill pans, barbeque grills, crepe pans, frying pans, sandwich makers or other cookware with a similar function: no more than 40 cm base or diagonal diameter
• Pressure cookers: no more than 30 L volumetric capacity

Cookware not covered in the Ordinance includes larger capacity articles, than those listed above, and those exclusively for hotels, camping and industry, pans made of silicone, electric pans, rechaud-type pans and those that are disposable.

The Ordinance establishes consolidated legislation with:

• Annex I – quality technical regulations
• Annex II – conformity assessment requirements
• Annex III – specifications for conformity identification seals, including those for utensils with non-stick coatings

Suppliers can choose Certification Model 1b (batch test), 2 or 5 for conformity assessment requirements. The certificate of conformity (CoC) for Model 4 or 5 is valid for four years.

Other provisions in the Ordinance include:

• Cookware exclusively for use in hotels, industry or camping must be properly identified on their labels or packaging
• Certified metal cookware must be registered with INMETRO
• Within scope cookware is subject to market surveillance activities by INMETRO and other public enforcement agencies
• Suppliers must furnish required information within 15 days when requested by INMETRO

The Ordinance also lists the supplementary documents required for conformity assessment. To read highlights of this list, see SGS’s original SafeGuard 012/22.

Ordinance No. 499 repeals Nos. 398/2012, 419/2012 and 21/2016. It entered into force on January 3, 2022, and the provisions will become effective on January 3, 2024.

SGS Food Contact Material Services

SGS’s technical experts have extensive experience of testing materials and articles in contact with food. They can ensure that your products meet the appropriate regulations for food contact materials and pave the way for compliance. SGS offers the full range of testing, including migration tests, along with expert advice on emerging regulations, compliance issues and documentation review. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s Food Contact Material Services.

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Brazil Issues Legislation for Metal Cookware SafeGuardS.

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For further information contact:

Dr. Hingwo Tsang

Global Information and Innovation Manager

Tel: (+852) 2774 7420

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines

LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

About SGS

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 89,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, is reminding footwear and footwear component manufacturers that ISO has updated its test method for determining polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in footwear materials.

ISO 16190 defines a test method that requires a sample to be extracted using toluene in an ultrasonic bath. An aliquot is then analysed using a gas chromatograph with mass selective detector (GC-MS).

There are several updates in the new version of the standard, including technical and/or editorial changes to:

• Terms and definitions
• Reagents
• Apparatus
• Sample preparation
• Procedure
• Expression of results

PAHs are a group of structurally related hydrocarbons that have the characteristics of persisting in the environment and accumulating in food chains. They are known to be mutagenic, toxic, and/or carcinogenic to aquatic life and humans and, because of this, many major markets enforce restrictions on their presence in finished products.

In clothing and footwear products, PAHs are usually only present as impurities from low-grade raw materials. They are not intentionally added. Raw materials that may contain PAHs include extender oils (for softening) and carbon black (reinforcing agent). In footwear, this meaning PAHs can often be found as impurities in outsoles and printing pastes for screen prints.

Published in November 2021, ISO 16190:2021, “Footwear – Critical substances potentially present in footwear and footwear components – Test method to quantitatively determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in footwear materials” replaces the previous iteration of the standard from 2013.

SGS Softlines Services

SGS has a worldwide network of over 40 state-of-the-art laboratories, including 10 in China, specializing in testing of apparel, footwear, and home textiles. Their committed team is drawn from multi-disciplinary backgrounds, allowing them to conduct a comprehensive range of physical, chemical, and functional testing services for components, materials and finished products. SGS helps companies ensure quality, performance, and compliance with international, industrial, and regulatory standards worldwide. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s Softlines Services.

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full New ISO Test Method Published for the Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Footwear Materials SafeGuardS.

Subscribe here to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Louann Spirito

Consumer and Retail — Softlines

US & Canada Softlines Business Head

Tel: +1 973 461 7919

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.sgs.com/softlines

LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

About SGS

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 89,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.