PerkinElmer Partners with Innov-X to Offer Complete Children's Product Safety Portfolio
Expanded Portfolio Includes a Lead Screening Tool to Accurately Identify Products that Require More Extensive, Quantitative Testing
(BUSINESS WIRE) More stringent regulations enacted in the 2008 Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) became effective February 10, 2009, requiring manufacturers, importers and retailers to determine the lead content of most children's products. To address the imminent need to comply with these new regulations, PerkinElmer, Inc., a global company focused on human and environmental health,has a complete portfolio of solutions providing customers with a full spectrum of analytical solutions for the identification and measurement of harmful contaminants in children's products, such as lead and other heavy metals. In an effort to supplement this product portfolio with a screening system, PerkinElmer has chosen to partner with Innov-X Systems, Inc., a global leader in rapid, in situ X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) measurements,to complement PerkinElmer's product portfolio with a screening system.
As a leader in precision analytical technologies for children's product testing, PerkinElmer provides application-based solutions through its EcoAnalytixTM initiative for many contaminants, including lead and phthalates. The Company's PlaySafeTM Analyzer detects and accurately measures levels of lead and other heavy metals in a range of consumer products and materials. Innov-X Systems develops hand-held XRF instruments for detecting the presence of lead, which can be used to perform initial screening on large numbers of products in a variety of settings.
"Our complete solution allows customers to certify their products, meet the regulatory guidelines and bring a screening tool for lead that helps them accurately identify products that may require more extensive, quantitative testing," said Richard Begley, Ph.D., president, Analytical Sciences, PerkinElmer. "As the CPSIA guidelines become more stringent over time, this partnership will help our customers implement a complete solution from their supply chain to final test to certify that their products meet the regulations."
"Collaboration with PerkinElmer allows us to achieve the advantages of scale, scope and speed for our customers," said Eric Gingrass, national sales manager, Innov-X Systems. "Together, we can establish a business network that enables a larger discussion of market trends with customers so that we can anticipate and respond quickly to their requirements with a complete solution."
The co-marketing relationship allows both companies to share information, helping customers to certify that their products are in accordance with CPSIA regulations on acceptable lead levels, which will continue to decrease. As of February 10, 2009, the limit for lead content in children's products was reduced to 600 ppm. It will decline to 300 ppm on August 14, 2009 and to 100 ppm in 2010. While the CPSC has recently extended the deadline for certain testing programs for manufacturers by one year, the requirement that products conform to these standards remains in place.
