HONG KONG and GUANGZHOU, China, Sept. 11,2013 /PRNewswire/ -- CSA Group, a leading global testing and certification organization and the Australian Gas Association (AGA), a name synonymous with gas-safety in Australasia, are announcing a new strategic alliance today, the centre-piece of which is the registration of CSA Group's Guangzhou laboratory facility as an Authorised AGA Testing Laboratory. AGA certification provides free market access throughout all Australian states and territories and New Zealand and the alliance announced today, means that manufacturers in southern China wishing to export to the Australian and New Zealand markets, will be able to gain AGA Certification based upon testing carried out locally at CSA's Guangzhou laboratory.
"The AGA alliance is at the core of our commitment to providing faster and more cost efficient localized testing and certification services to our customers in China with global gas market access solutions," said Ash Sahi, CEO and President of CSA Group. "At CSA Group, we are constantly seeking out new strategic business alliances tailored to supporting a One-Stop Shopping approach for manufacturers who require multiple certifications for different markets."
As an AGA Authorised Laboratory, the Guangzhou facility will test gas products to the applicable AGA requirements and standards to support the growing demand of Chinese gas product manufacturers for the Australian and New Zealand markets. This initiative will benefit existing CSA Group and AGA customers by reducing travel time and costs associated with testing samples; by shortening turnaround time of reports; and providing a more predictable route to earning the AGA mark. This alliance gives CSA Group the advantage of providing a combined express service for clients seeking certification for both the Australasian and North American markets and further demonstrates the organization's vigilance in being a global service provider.
"We are delighted to announce our alliance with CSA today, for it is an alliance with an old and trusted friend of longstanding. It means that AGA will be able to offer a local service in southern China to its Members, existing and potential new clients alike, that will save them time, reduce compliance costs and eliminate the uncertainty associated with meeting Australia's stringent gas-safety regulations," said Chris Devlin, Chairman of AGA.
CSA Group's gas laboratory, located in Guangzhou Science Park, is fully equipped with advanced equipment and staffed with highly qualified engineers. In addition to the AGA mark, the gas laboratory has also been accredited and qualified to provide testing and certification services on NOM mark and CE mark for Mexico and European markets.
The alliance with AGA further expands the coverage of CSA Group's one-stop gas appliance testing and certification services, ultimately allowing for increased access to more markets. With dedicated and accredited gas laboratories in China, Europe and North America, CSA Group is well positioned to meet the growing needs of clients seeking local services while accessing the global marketplace.
