SGS Consumer Testing Services
Encyclopedia
SGS Consumer Testing Services is one of the 10 divisions of the Geneva-based SGS S.A. Group , which operates with more than 59,000 employees over 1,000 offices and laboratories around the world. SGS Consumer Testing Services (CTS) provides a complete range of services, from textile to appliances, furniture, food, and electronics, to ensure the safety of consumer products. To reduce risk, improve efficiency and ensure compliance to contractual or regulatory requirements the service portfolio of SGS CTS includes testing, product inspection and certification, process assessment and technical assistance for manufacturers in the consumer industry.
SGS CTS works according to national and international standards and is accredited by numerous accreditation bodies. With a network of more than 100 laboratories in over 35 countries, SGS CTS is at the forefront of developing new testing matrices and protocols for the testing of consumer products.
France, by a young Latvian immigrant, who having seized the opportunity at one of the country’s largest ports, began to inspect French grain shipments. By 1913 the company had grown considerably and was a leading grain inspection business, inspecting 21 million tonnes of grain per year from a network of 45 offices across Europe.
The Second World War brought severe disruption to global trade and as a result impacted SGS’ core grain inspection business. SGS was able to make rapid return to profitability by 1946 through contracts with the Allied powers inspecting consumer goods destined for soldiers. That was the beginning of SGS Consumer Testing Services. Today, SGS CTS is worldwide established in the consumer products industry.
. Carbon emissions, energy consumption and packaging waste are the most recognized problems. Some products such as paints or furniture are especially known to cause VOC emissions within the air; home care items are particularly renowned for water pollution
; other products such as toys and personal care items raise concern due to safety and social expectations.
Integrating corporate sustainability into business strategy and product development is now essential to manage social and environmental risks. Therefore, companies develop sustainable solutions and increase the use of safe substances reducing health risks, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations (REACH, Toys Safety Directive 88/378/EC). They also work on the improvement of social conditions and their implementation through the supply chain.
As a business sustainability consultancy , SGS Consumer Testing Services implements sustainable development into organizations, product, packaging and supply chain.
(COO). The EVPs and the COOs, in conjunction with the functional Senior Vice Presidents (SVPs) and the Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel make up the SGS Operations Council. The Operations Council meets regularly throughout the year to review performance and determine new strategies.
SGS CTS works according to national and international standards and is accredited by numerous accreditation bodies. With a network of more than 100 laboratories in over 35 countries, SGS CTS is at the forefront of developing new testing matrices and protocols for the testing of consumer products.
History
SGS was founded in 1878 in RouenRouen
Rouen , in northern France on the River Seine, is the capital of the Haute-Normandie region and the historic capital city of Normandy. Once one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe , it was the seat of the Exchequer of Normandy in the Middle Ages...
France, by a young Latvian immigrant, who having seized the opportunity at one of the country’s largest ports, began to inspect French grain shipments. By 1913 the company had grown considerably and was a leading grain inspection business, inspecting 21 million tonnes of grain per year from a network of 45 offices across Europe.
The Second World War brought severe disruption to global trade and as a result impacted SGS’ core grain inspection business. SGS was able to make rapid return to profitability by 1946 through contracts with the Allied powers inspecting consumer goods destined for soldiers. That was the beginning of SGS Consumer Testing Services. Today, SGS CTS is worldwide established in the consumer products industry.
Market Segments
The 5 main market segments served by SGS Consumer Testing Services are as follows:- Automotive (Automotive components, interior/exterior parts and materials, automotive E&E components, automotive batteries, AUTOSAR, embedded software, aftermarket components and products)
- Electrical and Electronics (Solar, lighting, audio and video, household appliances, wireless and telecommunications, components, machinery, medical devices, microelectronics etc.)
- Food (Animal origin, plant origin, beverages, bakery and meals)
- Hardgoods (Hardware, DIY, houseware, furniture, sporting goods, building products, cosmetics, packaging, gifts and sundries)
- Softlines (Textile, apparel, accessories, home textile, footwear, bags, leather and latex products)
- Toys and Juvenile Products (Plush toys, battery operated toys, toys in food, strollers, cribs, high chairs, baby bottles and teats, pacifiers, feeding and drinking equipment)
Sustainability Services for Consumer Goods
Consumer products can cause several impacts through the supply chainSupply chain
A supply chain is a system of organizations, people, technology, activities, information and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to customer. Supply chain activities transform natural resources, raw materials and components into a finished product that is delivered to...
. Carbon emissions, energy consumption and packaging waste are the most recognized problems. Some products such as paints or furniture are especially known to cause VOC emissions within the air; home care items are particularly renowned for water pollution
Water pollution
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies . Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds....
; other products such as toys and personal care items raise concern due to safety and social expectations.
Integrating corporate sustainability into business strategy and product development is now essential to manage social and environmental risks. Therefore, companies develop sustainable solutions and increase the use of safe substances reducing health risks, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations (REACH, Toys Safety Directive 88/378/EC). They also work on the improvement of social conditions and their implementation through the supply chain.
As a business sustainability consultancy , SGS Consumer Testing Services implements sustainable development into organizations, product, packaging and supply chain.
Management
SGS Consumer Testing Services is led by an Executive Vice President (EVP), operating across ten geographical regions. Each region is led by a Chief Operating OfficerChief operating officer
A Chief Operating Officer or Director of Operations can be one of the highest-ranking executives in an organization and comprises part of the "C-Suite"...
(COO). The EVPs and the COOs, in conjunction with the functional Senior Vice Presidents (SVPs) and the Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel make up the SGS Operations Council. The Operations Council meets regularly throughout the year to review performance and determine new strategies.