Intertek Presents Free Webinar on January 2010 Changes to Substances of Very
High Concern (SVHC) Compliance Requirements

OTTAWA , Dec. 16 /CNW Telbec/ - Intertek (www.intertek.com), the leading provider of quality and safety services to a wide range of industries, will present a free one-hour webinar on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. EST providing an update of recent changes to the Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) List as well as an overview on the compliance requirements.

A Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) is a chemical substance that is subject to requirements under the REACH (Registration Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals) Regulation in the European Union. On December 7, 2009 , the ECHA Member State committee voted unanimously to add no less than 15 additional substances to the SVHC Candidate List to make a total of 30 substances, with the new list formally activated in January 2010 . The expansion of the SVHC list is part of a long term roll out of increasing steps to limit and register hazardous substances in products sold in Europe .

Once a substance is added to the SVHC Candidate List, REACH imposes immediate obligations on manufacturers and importers to declare the substances if present. The regulation states that manufacturers and importers of articles are required to notify their customers of the presence of any Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) in any of their products when exceeding 0.1% by weight and provide instructions on safe use of the product.

"We've seen a lot of companies struggling to comply with the REACH SVHC requirements and it is a prerequisite for them to understand immediately these expanding obligations," states Dr. Ruud A. Overbeek , Global Vice President of Intertek's Health and Environmental Services. "During this webinar, we will answer the questions our customers have been asking and what they need to do to comply."

This is a 'must see' webinar if you are currently selling products in or into the European Union or plan to in the future. Join us on January 19, 2010 at 10 am EST for a free 1 hour webinar reviewing general SVHC declaration requirements for REACH, substances included in the SVHC Candidate List, SVHV compliance obligations and options. Join us to learn more about how Intertek's REACH SVHC solutions can get your business one step closer to REACH compliance today and tomorrow. For more information or to register for this webinar, please visit: http://www.intertek.com/events/2010/01-19-webinar-reach-svhc-candidate-list-changes/

About Intertek Health & Environmental Services (www.intertek.com/green)

Intertek Health & Environmental Services offers the complete solution for global, regional, or local compliance, providing sound traceability systems and strict enforcement of due diligence policies. Intertek does more than simply help our clients comply, we give them the competitive advantage they desire. Our Services offer comprehensive solutions for RoHS, Restricted Substances, CPSIA, REACH, California Proposition 65, Carbon Management, and Greenhouse Gas reduction, including on-call consulting, testing and analysis, legal representation, certification, and corporate education appropriate for all types and levels of business. Intertek Health & Environmental Services is a leader in global environmental compliance, consulting, technology services and product stewardship.

About Intertek (www.intertek.com)

Intertek is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers' products and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace. Intertek has the expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through its network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 24,000 people in more than 100 countries around the world.

For more information, visit www.intertek.com

For further information: Joel Pekay, Global Marketing and Business Development Director, Intertek Health and Environmental, Telephone: [phone], Email: [email protected], [email protected], www.intertek.com/reach