March 6, 2013
Appliance manufacturers can now rely on UL for complete product testing, certification and follow-up services required to access Brazil marketplace
NORTHBROOK, Ill. / Porto Alegre, Brazil - March 6, 2013 - UL, a world leader in advancing safety, announced today the acquisition of Testtech Laboratorios, a Brazil-based electrical safety and energy efficiency testing laboratory that is relied upon by many of the world's leading appliance manufacturers. The strategic addition positions UL as a single, trusted source of the appliance certification, testing and follow-up services needed to access the Brazilian market.
Testtech is accredited to test appliances to Brazil's INMETRO regulatory safety standards, to which product certification is required for sale in Brazil. As of January 1, 2013, INMETRO certification can only be obtained by products tested at an INMETRO accredited laboratory within Brazil or at an ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) accredited laboratory outside of Brazil.
"We are thrilled to add Testtech's high caliber team and robust appliance testing laboratory," said Ben Miller, president of UL's Product Safety unit. "Together, we can fully serve global appliance manufacturers seeking access to Brazil, and Brazilian manufacturers seeking access to the rest of the world."
With the addition of Testtech, UL becomes the world's most comprehensive provider of the appliance testing and certification services needed to meet Brazil's regulatory safety requirements. Testtech's Porto Alegre laboratory will begin expansion of facility and staff in earnest, with completion expected later this year.
"As a longtime service partner of UL, we look forward to integrating our people and our offering with familiar colleagues," said Álvaro Medeiros de Farias Theisen, director of Testtech. "Uniting with UL will directly benefit all of our valued stakeholders, most importantly our customers, our team and the appliance industry."
In addition to electrical safety testing, Testtech provides energy efficiency performance testing for appliances and lighting products. Testtech is an accredited provider of the Brazil's PBE energy efficiency labeling program, which is expected to become mandatory next year.
About Testtech Laboratorios De Avaliacao Da Conformidade, Ltda.
Testtech is one of Brazil's leading appliance safety testing laboratories, accredited by INMETRO (Brazilian Regulatory Body and Metrological Institute) to test conformance to all the IEC 60335 family of household appliance standards. Testtech also provides performance testing services across other product categories, including automotive parts, luminaires and other lighting products. For more information, visit www.testtech.com.br.
About UL
UL is a premier global independent safety science company with more than 118 years of history. Employing more than 10,000 professionals in over 100 countries, UL has five distinct business units -- Product Safety, Environment, Life & Health, Knowledge Services, and Verification Services - to meet the expanding needs of our customers and to deliver on our public safety mission. Additional information about UL may be found at UL.com.