Intertek and SEI Partner for Testing and Certification of Fall Protection Equipment

Added capabilities for the evaluation of fall protection equipment offer manufacturers a faster, more efficient alternative for testing and certification

Chicago, IL, June 05, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Intertek (LSE: ITRK), a global leader in testing, inspection and certification, announces today that they have been selected as the independent testing laboratory by the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) to provide testing for the SEI Fall Protection Certification Program to ANSI/ASSE and CAN/CSA standard requirements.

SEI and Intertek created an alliance over 18 years ago with one goal in mind, protecting workers and consumers who rely on personal protective equipment. Since that time, Intertek and SEI have been testing and certifying structural firefighting boots, gloves, helmets, and SCBA equipment, among many other safety and protective products. With the addition of 3,500 square feet of expanded laboratory space and construction of a new SEI approved drop tower, Intertek and SEI are committed to offering manufacturers a complete solution for their fall protection equipment testing needs.

“Adding Fall Protection Equipment to our current suite of testing programs with SEI gives manufacturers a complete solution for testing their personal protection equipment,” says Gregg Tiemann, Chief Executive, Intertek Commercial & Electrical Products division. “The addition of this new service offering helps us provide clients with greater efficiencies in testing and certification and most importantly, enables the launch of potentially life-saving products to market faster than ever before.”

According to the US Department of Labor, in the construction industry in the U.S., falls are the leading cause of worker fatalities. Each year, on average, between 150 and 200 workers are killed and more than 100,000 are injured as a result of falls at construction sites. SEI encourages safety professionals to look for the SEI label when purchasing fall protection equipment. An SEI label on fall protection equipment assures that the product model tested conforms to industry standards, and that the manufacturer has a system in place to consistently produce quality products.

Intertek is the designated testing laboratory for many SEI certification programs. Products are submitted for certification and are tested at Intertek’s ISO 17025 accredited laboratory for a number of protective equipment product categories and associated standards. Intertek’s experts are members of organizations such as NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) and ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) and participate on their standards writing committees. The Cortland, NY laboratory is equipped with a state-of-the-art protective equipment facility for complete, accurate and repeatable test results.

Contacts
For further information, please contact
Nicole Kimmick, Field Marketing Manager
Telephone: 978-635-8550
Nicole.kimmick@intertek.com

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About Intertek’s testing and certification services

The Commercial & Electrical division of Intertek provides testing and certification services, including product safety testing and certification, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing, performance testing, and management systems certification. These services provide global market access to customers in industries such as building products and materials. Visit www.intertek-etlsemko.com for further information or to contact your local Intertek office.

About Intertek
Intertek is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers' products and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace.

Intertek has the expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through its network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 23,000 people in more than 100 countries around the world.

For further information, visit www.intertek.com

About SEI
SEI is a private, nonprofit organization that administers non-governmental, third party certification programs for a broad range of safety and protective products. The purpose of SEI’s programs is to assist government agencies, users, and manufacturers of safety equipment to ensure that protective equipment complies with the most current and comprehensive national standards. SEI sponsors certification programs for 23 categories of protective equipment.

SEI is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to the standard ANSI Z34.1-1993, Third Party Certification Programs for Products, Processes and Services. The prestigious ANSI Accreditation affirms that SEI’s certification programs comply with ten international guides pertaining to testing, inspection and certification. SEI is the only safety and protective equipment certifier to achieve this status. SEI certification programs differ from typical safety labeling and listing programs in that SEI contracts with independent testing and quality assurance organizations. The different organizations, each being experts in the functions they fulfill, provide a system of checks and balances that maintain the independence of each function and the integrity of the whole.
Contact
Intertek
Nicole Kimmick
978 635 8550
www.intertek-etlsemko.com
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