Leveraging Your NSF Certification: Now that you've received NSF Certification ... why not leverage the Mark to your advantage.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2009
Contact: Greta Houlahan
NSF International
Phone: (734) 913-5723
Email: houlahan@nsf.org
One of the First Certification Bodies to be Approved by ANSI to Offer Toy Verification Services
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit organization that develops public health standards for food, water, dietary supplements and consumer goods, today announced that it has obtained toy safety accreditation from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) under the new Toy Industry Association (TIA) Toy Safety Certification Program (TSCP). NSF International is one of the first certification bodies approved by ANSI, the authority on U.S. standards and conformity assessment systems, to verify that products meet TSCP requirements.
With 29 million children’s products recalled in 2008 and growing concerns among U.S. families about the safety of their children’s toys, TSCP directly addresses these concerns. The TSCP was created by TIA working in conjunction with ANSI to enhance the confidence of regulators, toy companies, retailers and consumers. The TSCP requirements include meeting the new federal legislation mandating that toys be tested by a qualified lab, as well as certified that they meet rigorous national safety standards and retailer requirements, which include heavy metals testing (lead and others), choking/small parts testing, mechanical and physical safety, flammability, chemical composition, phthalate content and electrical safety.
This accreditation from ANSI broadens the scope of NSF’s existing International Accreditation Service (IAS). IAS accreditation confirms that NSF International’s toy testing services are conducted in compliance with U.S. and international standards, as well as the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).
To become accredited by ANSI to verify compliance with the TSCP requirements, NSF International met all of ANSI’s product certification accreditation requirements, which included a field audit review and a quality systems process audit.
“Making toys safer and protecting children’s health are important components of NSF International’s public health and safety mission. We have worked with ANSI to develop many standards during our 65 years and are honored to achieve toy safety accreditation to help lead the way in making toys safer,” said Dave Parzen, Business Unit Manager for NSF International's Consumer Product Safety Program.
Manufacturers and retailers can also rely on NSF International’s toy safety resources for current information on regulations and standards.
Background on the Toy Safety Certification Program (TSCP)
Under the TSCP, NSF International will offer services designed to assist toy manufacturers in meeting the mandated requirements for toy safety, including the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). This Act, which was signed into law on August 14, 2008 by President Bush, places regulations on children’s toys and child care products sold in the U.S.
The TSCP, which is based on the CPSIA, was developed with input from U.S. government bodies, consumer groups, toy companies, retailers, toy testing labs and factory auditing companies, as well as officials and industry representatives from China and the European Union. Developed in 2007 and launched in the beginning of 2009, the TSCP is a step in the right direction in terms of consumer protection and the need for toy certification.
Additional information can be found on NSF’s website.
About NSF International: NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit organization, certifies products and writes standards for food, water and consumer goods (www.nsf.org). Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting public health and safety worldwide. NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment. NSF offers full-service testing and certification services for all aspects of toy safety. NSF International’s Toy Safety program can help toy manufacturers develop a customized laboratory testing program that results in time and cost savings by avoiding unnecessary testing. Additional services include safety audits for the food and water industries, management systems registrations delivered through NSF International Strategic Registrations, organic certification provided by Quality Assurance International and education through the NSF Center for Public Health Education.
