CSA Group Expands European-Based Medical Device Testing Capabilities With Acquisition of INTRATest and new EUROCAT Agreement

FRANKFURT, Germany, April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CSA Group, a leading organization in standards development, testing and certification today officially announces the acquisition of INTRATest GmbH, a privately-held product testing business with strong focus on medical devices and laboratory equipment. Located in Gebenstorf, Switzerland, INTRATest GmbH will become CSA's primary testing laboratory for medical equipment in Europe. CSA Group also announces it has entered into a new medical testing agreement with EUROCAT GmbH Institute for Certification and Testing (part of the BSI Group), of Darmstadt, Germany. EUROCAT is currently in the process of receiving the official recognition as a Certification Body Testing Laboratory (CBTL) for medical devices and laboratory equipment under the IECEE CB Scheme.

"The acquisition of INTRATest and the new agreement with Eurocat/BSI are ideal components of CSA's broader medical testing service offerings and strategic growth in Europe," says Magali Depras, Vice President, Europe for CSA Group. "These European investments best position CSA to offer an expanded, faster and more cost-effective medical device and laboratory equipment inspection program for its clients in Europe and globally."

CSA had previously established its first Certified Body Test Lab (CBTL) in Europe with INTRATest to provide manufacturers of electro-medical and lab equipment with a streamlined and efficient process for obtaining a CSA CB certificate for exporting products globally. Today's announcement will ensure that CSA has ownership and control of a centralized European laboratory for medical and laboratory devices located in Switzerland as well as extended CBTL capabilities for medical and laboratory devices in Germany.

Established in 1995 in Gebenstorf near Zurich, Switzerland, INTRATest areas of expertise include in-depth knowledge of the applicable standards, approval regulations and their interpretation and application in product design. INTRATest has been accredited by the Swiss Accreditation Service (SAS) according to ISO/IEC 17025 for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and Product Safety and all relevant standards since 2001. INTRATest was officially recognized by CSA International as an agent in 2008. INTRATest is a CBTL accredited by IECEE since 2010.

About CSA Group

CSA Group is an independent, not-for-profit membership association serving business, industry, government and consumers. CSA Group consists of three divisions: CSA Standards, a leading standards-based solutions organization, providing standards development, application products, training and advisory services; CSA International, which provides testing and certification services for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas and a variety of other products; and OnSpeX, a provider of consumer product evaluation, inspection and advisory services for retailers and manufacturers. For more, visit http://www.csagroup.org

For further information about CSA Europe business offerings, please contact Magali Depras at magali.depras@csa-international.org.

    
    Contact: Anthony Toderian

    Manager, Corporate Affairs
    CSA Group
    +1-416-747-2620
    anthony.toderian@csagroup.org