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[July 2002]
CERAM Testing in Thailand
Thailand's National Metals and Materials Technology Centre (MTEC) and CERAM are pleased to announce that as of 1st of August 2002, MTEC will act as CERAM's Approved Laboratory in Thailand in a number of areas. The tests that are now covered in the Approval Scheme are metal release testing, the complete range physical tests for ceramic and glass tabletop items, the testing of candles and candle lanterns and the chemical analysis of a wide range of ceramic, glass, cement and raw materials.It is no secret that a large amount of tableware production has moved from Europe to the Far East, particularly Thailand. Retailers are now starting to source much of their tabletop items from Thailand and this trend will continue. To this end, CERAM has been providing a service, advising retailers and importers on the legal requirements of tableware and how to be assured that tableware items survive in use. Although these organisations are happy to use CERAM for this suite of tests, the cost, time and difficulties involved in shipping heavy and fragile ware into the UK for testing has prompted them to ask for CERAM's testing facilities to be available in the country of manufacture. This has prompted CERAM to set up a Laboratory Approval Scheme whereby CERAM seek out suitable partners and then supply the training and technology to enable their partners to carry out testing as if they were a part of CERAM. To insure the Approved Laboratory maintains its expertise and quality, CERAM audits them at six monthly intervals.
The first laboratory to gain approval was the Ceramic Research Company in Klang, Malaysia. MTEC are the second laboratory to gain such approval and further such arrangements are to be set up in Vietnam, India and China. MTEC is unique in having approval for the chemical analysis by X-ray fluorescence of glass, pottery bodies, clays, fluxes, bone and other raw materials.
We are proud to announce that MTEC now has Approval to carry out metal release testing for the UK, Europe, North America and California. The physical testing will include dishwasher proof, oven to table, freezer to oven, microwave, tests for fine china, analysis for crystal glass, various thermal shock tests, edge chipping and handle strength. For tea and coffee pots there will be stability, lid retention and pouring tests. These tests comprise the range that is part of a BSI kite marking scheme. Should a manufacturer take up this option, it will provide great confidence to potential buyers of their ware.
MTEC will be providing a timely and cost effective service to manufacturers and exporters backed by CERAM's ability to advise when and why ware fails the tests.
For further details contact Dr Graham Oliver, Manager CERAM Testing and Environmental, on +44 (0) 1782 764212
or via email at graham.oliver@ceram.com.
ENDS