Nemko assures product quality

Nemko, a Norwegian organization that provides testing and certification services worldwide, has a lot to celebrate. Aside from marking its 75th anniversary this year, the company also became the first foreign firm to receive approval from China's Ministry of Commerce to perform testing and certification in the country.

"That was an exciting step for us. We are a small, knowledge-based company. Now, we are the first foreign enterprise doing certification in China, the fastest growing export country in the world," said President Dag Torvold.

Looking beyond its home market, Nemko has greatly expanded its international activities over the past 15 years, providing service to customers in Europe, North America and Asia. Today, it is one of the leading suppliers of global safety certificates - CB certificates for interim test equipment (ITE), electronics and household appliances.

"Our certificates are recognized worldwide and Nemko is known as a trusted brand. Passing on our knowledge to Chinese manufacturers and helping them create safe products is the most important priority for us. In so doing, we are also safeguarding consumers all over the world," said Jon Ivar Tidemann, vice president of Nemko Group and CEO of Nemko China.

Nemko says its growing presence in China is a testament to its long-standing cooperation with the government, which started in 1989. It now has four offices in the nation, including a newly opened test laboratory in Shanghai.

"We trained our employees for months before opening up the testing facilities in Shanghai so they fully understand our standards and what is behind the Nemko mark," said Torvold.

"We will never be able to compete with local Chinese prices. You will always find other testing and certification bodies that will provide a cheaper test report. A certain part of the market will be willing to pay a better price for quality. And these will be our future clients in China," said Tidemann.

www.nemko.com

(China Daily 04/14/2008 page25)