SGS toy safety experts in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Hong Kong and Shenzhen can advise toy manufacturers on products developed for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This follows their appointment by the Gulf Standards Organization (GSO) as Notified Bodies under GCC Technical Regulation on Children's Toys (BD-131704-1).

Nabil Molla, General Secretary, GSO presented the certificate for SGS Hong Kong and SGS Shenzhen in Beijing, on Tuesday, 10 June 2015.

SGS's accreditation means its toy experts can advise toy manufacturers during the product development, technical file review and conformity assessment stages on whether a toy is likely to comply with the GCC regulation, and any remedial actions that may be required. In addition, SGS Dubai can check labels in Arabic, as well as co-ordinate and liaise with authorities in the GCC states.

"Putting customer needs at the center of our operations, this accreditation builds on our existing local expertise and enables us to offer GCC toy safety services across the region," said Dr HingWo Tsang, Global Toys and Juvenile Products Information and Innovation Manager, SGS Consumer Testing Services. "Today, SGS in Dubai, Hong Kong and Shenzhen can deliver one-stop toy solutions for the GCC regulation."

SGS Hong Kong Ltd (main office) and SGS-CSTC Standards Technical Services Co, Ltd Shenzhen have the registration number 0008.

New Safety Requirements for Toys in Gulf Markets

GCC Technical Regulation on Children's Toys, BD 131704-01 will be fully enforced when the chemical requirements come into effect on 15 July 2015. From this date onwards, toys marketed, distributed and sold in GCC countries - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen - are obliged to meet all requirements under this Regulation.

About SGS Toy Testing Services

SGS Shenzhen is one of the world's biggest toy laboratories. ISO 17025 accredited for toy testing, SGS's Shenzhen and Hong Kong labs have extensive experience and offer a one-stop toy solution with testing, safety assessment, technical support, labeling review, audits and inspections. SGS's toy testing services are global and offer expertise across international markets, helping the toy industry to produce safe toys that meet the requirements of EU, US and Gulf States markets, as well as those for Customs Union, Japan, Indonesia, Brazil, amongst others.

For further information, please contact:

Stephanie Meyer-Pionchon
Global Marketing Manager - Toys and Juvenile Products
SGS CTS
215, rue Paul Langevin
Pôle d'activité Aix Les
13854 Aix-en-Provence
France
t: + 33 4 42 61 64 46

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 80,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,650 offices and laboratories around the world.

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