CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive

July 5, 2007

Product News

TÜVRheinland® Creating Standards for All Categories

Finding a product testing, assessment and certification company with the resources to manage your business is critical to maintaining maximum profitability and minimum product liability exposure. From WiFi chipsets and home computers to 18-Wheeler trucks, TÜVRheinland®, the leader in comprehensive product testing and assessment services, has the resources to assess and develop standardized systems, procedures and testing criteria for any category. Through the company's newly launched product lifecycle management portfolio, Global Retail Solutions (GRS), companies can rest assured that they have access to the resources for everything from design review to WEEE/RoHS Compliance, available anytime and anywhere worldwide.

The company leverages over 135 years of experience in global product testing and assessment services in more than 300 local offices in 60 countries, in all major economic centers of the world, with 11,000 employees worldwide. The GRS portfolio is targeted to retail supply chain and quality assurance executives to enhance efficiency and productivity by providing an all-encompassing line of testing and inspection services for the life of a product from concept to end of life, at convenient global locations. The resources and stability of the organization enable TÜVRheinland® to grow with its clients.

"Through our Global Retail Solutions portfolio we've helped companies in a range of retail industries, from golf products to outdoor gas grills, tools, automobiles, furniture, housewares, and home electronics throughout the globe," says Jerry Manion, Global Retail Solutions Manager of TÜVRheinland®. "The expertise we have in so many industries delivering comprehensive, end-to-end product lifecycle management enables us to set the standards in every category. Our clients can continue business without interruption, while we execute the tasks needed to ensure product safety and quality."

TÜVRheinland's services provide integrated solutions so that retailers can better plan, forecast, understand pricing dynamics, and product cycles, to name just a few of the benefits. The GRS portfolio establishes product-specific test protocols according to industry standards, government regulations, and consumer preferences for durability, "fitness for use", functionality, environmental impact, and safety. To do so, TÜVRheinland® assigns a test engineer for scheduled audits and certifications at the client site, anywhere and anytime around the world, drawing from its international network of consumer product testing and inspection engineers in over 300 locations.

Solutions For Retailers

GRS provides comprehensive lifecycle management in all areas of design review, conformity assessment, sourcing, production, shipment inspection, purchasing, consumer, and recycling. Retailers can ensure products selected meet safety, performance, and warranty requirements, as well as risk and quality assessments, and that suppliers adhere to quality, environmental and social accountability standards. TÜVRheinland® inspectors and engineers ensure the testing of new product designs and conformity assessments.

Solutions for retailers also include:

•  Safety Certifications (Regional and National)

•  Production Quality Assurance

•  Return Programs

•  Product Analysis Assessments and Vendor Training

Quality control inspections are designed to reduce or eliminate the risk of importing defective merchandise, and meet both domestic and international regulations. Areas covered in the on-site factory assessment include: product capabilities, quality control, training, procurement process, code of conduct, social accountability (SA 8000), and workplace environmental and health considerations.

 

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