HOUSEWARES WITH FOOD CONTACT
A Proactive Approach to Brand Protection

In today’s global marketplace, retailers, manufacturers and distributors of houseware products that come into contact with food face unique challenges in assessing the quality of their goods, complying with federal and international regulations and meeting industry best practices.The implementation of effective product development and quality monitoring programs, plus services such as testing, inspections, and consumer evaluations, can help you improve customer satisfaction, lower costs, reduce customer complaints, and increase competitiveness.

Consumers expect that the products they purchase will be safe. However, there is increasing concern over what is being leached into food. Substances such as phthalates in plastic containers or unsafe levels of heavy metals in cookware, pose a potential risk from which the consumer expects to be protected. In addition to safety concerns, consumers consider a product’s physical characteristics, reliability and performance as key factors when deciding on a purchase.

A Knowledgeable Provider with Comprehensive Capabilities
To comply with domestic and international safety and quality requirements for housewares, you need an experienced service provider that can evaluate your product to FDA, CPSIA, ASTM, Health Canada, ISO, European Directives, BS EN standards, specific state requirements and other guidelines. Bureau Veritas can identify analytical requirements, performance criteria and evaluate physical characteristics, construction and workmanship. It is important that your products stand up to the stresses of everyday use, therefore we validate such characteristics as stain, warp, scratch and corrosion resistance, fit and strength, and effects of cold, heat, microwaving and dishwashing.

What are the key benefits?
• Verify compliance with worldwide regulations and industry standards
• Minimize the risk of recalls, returns and complaints
• Protect your reputation and brand equity in the market
• Maintain consumer confidence and health

OUR APPROACH

Comprehensive Knowledge and Experience
Bureau Veritas has experience with a wide variety of houseware materials, such as wood, paper and paperboard, plastic, ceramic, porcelain, glass and enamel, metal and metal alloys, and can offer applicable comprehensive test packages to analyze your products. With locations around the world, we are available to provide prompt service, solid technical support and regulatory guidance.

Services are available for:
• Single product analysis and comparative evaluations of consumer merchandise
• Testing to national and international standards
• Defective product analysis to determine the cause of failure at various stages of production and to provide corrective recommendations
• Technical consultations to answer questions, interpret results, and help manage your quality assurance programs
• Product evaluation for design, construction, and safety at various stages of production
• Complete inspection and auditing services including factory evaluations and incoming quality control, initial product, in-process and final shipment/product inspections.
• Performance package and transit testing for vibration and impact to help reduce product damage