Intertek Partners with IFC Certification to Offer European Market Access

The ETL SEMKO division of Intertek has entered a partnership with IFC Certification Ltd., an internationally recognized certification body for building products and materials based in the United Kingdom. According to the announcement, the partnership allows manufacturers of many construction products, including builder's hardware, to utilize Intertek as single global resource for CE Marking.

Manufacturers now have a local testing solution for applicable European Union requirements including CE Marking of products under the Construction Products Directive. Historically, manufacturers have had to work with multiple testing and certification organizations and ship products to the European Union for applicable testing.

"Intertek continually develops and delivers solutions that meet the global market access needs of our clients," said Jeff Turcotte, vice president Building Products, Intertek. "Through this unique testing and certification partnership we are able to provide our clients with a local CE Marking solution to streamline the European market access process."

The companies say this landmark partnership is designed to remove the logistical barriers associated with EU market entry, thereby saving building products manufacturers' time and cost.

"Our partnership is the first of its kind in international testing and certification activities," said Jerry Quayle, director of certification, IFC Certification Ltd. "By bringing together two of the most dynamic, customer-focused organizations in our industry, clients will gain European market access faster than ever before."