TUV to aid Indian regions testing products
Testing and certification group TUV Rheinland is launching an initiative which it says will help textile and leather exporters in the Indian cities of Ranipet and Karur test their products for “risk-possessing” substances banned in Europe.
The REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances) legislation which recently came into effect in Europe, concerns 53 chemical substances which have been identified as causing irrevocable harm to people and the environment.
“There are over 1,500 leather and textile units in Ranipet and Karur and over 60% of exports from here are to Europe,” said Mr Shanmuga Sundaram, country head, Material Testing Laboratories, TUV Rheinland India and project director, REACH-India Project. Major European buyers have started insisting that suppliers in India adhere to REACH legislation. Our initiative will help Indian exporters understand the legislation and also test their products for toxic substances.”
TUV Rheinland will work with 40 SME units from Ranipet and Karur and conduct testing of their products at its labs in Bangalore. TUV Rheinland may also advise the exporter on switching over to safe alternatives, if any risk-possessing chemical is detected. The company will also conduct factory inspections and audits from time to time, over a 20 month period.
