New Lab Tests Safety Of Consumer Products

A German company that does consumer product safety testing chose Bentonville as the site of its first North American testing laboratory.

TUV Rheinland of North America Inc. opened the lab at 2709 S.E. Otis Corley Drive in March. In mid-April, it earned ISO 17025 accreditation, which is the global quality standard for testing and calibration labs.

The new lab is just down the street from another Bentonville product safety testing lab. Consumer Testing Laboratories Inc., at 2601 S.E. Otis Corley Drive, has served retailers and manufacturers worldwide since 1952.

Although TUV Rheinland’s North American division has many U.S. offices, “the new Bentonville lab gives our clients local support, expertise, services and solutions they need to deliver high-quality, safe products to their customers, which is critical in today’s competitive and highly regulated environment,” said Cheryl Rieser, the company’s business development director of softlines, which includes items like clothing and upholstery.

The lab tests a wide range of consumer products, including toys, clothing, pet products, jewelry, cosmetics and appliances.

Lab technicians test products for chemical content such as lead and phthalates, and evaluate their compliance with mechanical safety and flammability regulations.