Consumer Goods Testing with GeoChem

GeoChem Laboratories, part of the Cotecna Group, is one of the largest and most dynamic independent testing and inspection organizations, both in India and internationally, providing a full spectrum of services across multiple industries. One division of the lab focuses on Consumer Products Services (CPS) to ensure the highest safety and quality for consumer goods.

We contacted one of our experts from GeoChem to get in-depth insights about the consumer goods industry and the wide range of services offered by the lab. Nalin Singla, Regional Director – CPS Division, answers all our questions on this topic:

Can you introduce GeoChem Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. and describe the range of services they provide in the Consumer Goods department?

Geo-chem Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. is a leading Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) company based in India. The company was founded in 1964 and has since expanded to provide a wide range of services across multiple industries, including the Consumer Products Services (CPS) division which was established in 2017. Presently we have CPS laboratories in India, Bangladesh, and UAE. Our Labs are ISO 17025 accredited and our Inspection Services are ISO 17020 approved. We are also registered with CPSIA

Geo-chem Laboratories provides comprehensive testing services for consumer goods to ensure that products meet safety and quality standards. The range of services provided by Geo-chem Laboratories includes.

1. Physical Testing: Geo-chem Laboratories provides physical testing services to evaluate the performance and durability of consumer products. This includes tests for tensile strength, tear resistance, and abrasion resistance, among others.
2. Chemical Analysis: Geo-chem Laboratories provides chemical analysis services to determine the presence and concentration of harmful chemicals in consumer products, such as heavy metals, phthalates, and formaldehyde. This helps to ensure that products are safe for consumer use.
3. Packaging Testing: Geo-chem Laboratories provides packaging testing services to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of product packaging, such as drop tests, compression tests, and vibration tests.
4. Regulatory Compliance Testing: Geo-chem Laboratories provides regulatory compliance testing services to ensure that consumer products meet safety and quality standards set by regulatory bodies such as the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
5. Environmental Testing: Geo-chem Laboratories also provides environmental testing services to assess the environmental impact of consumer products and to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Geochem is an active partner with ZDHC.
6. Inspection Services: Geo-chem provide the services for In-line, Dupro and Final random Inspection & for Technical audits to support customers reduce rejections and improve quality.

The company's expertise in testing and inspection helps to ensure that products are safe and effective for consumer use, which is critical in maintaining consumer trust and building brand reputation.

What are the critical points to take into consideration when providing consumer goods testing services to ensure safety and security?

When providing consumer goods testing services, there are several critical points that should be taken into consideration to ensure safety and security. Some of key points include:

1. Compliance with Regulations: It is important to ensure that all testing services are conducted in compliance with relevant regulations and standards of destination country. These include chemical compliance, labelling, packaging, and product claims on labels. Compliance with these regulations helps to ensure that products are safe for consumer use and safeguard the consumer against any harm.
2. Accurate and Reliable Testing: It is important to use accurate and reliable testing methods and equipment to ensure that testing results are reliable and can be trusted. This includes measures such as regular calibration of testing equipment.
3. Quality of Work and Competence of Staff: Quality control measures should be put in place to ensure that testing is conducted in a consistent and reliable manner. We organise regular training for testing personnel so that they are aware of latest std and procedures for testing.
4. Confidentiality: Confidentiality of testing results should be maintained to protect the interests of clients.

How has GeoChem adapted to the trends and changes in the consumer goods testing industry, and what steps has the company taken to stay ahead of the curve ?

We have adapted to the trends and changes in the consumer products testing industry by staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and industry standards, and by investing in our workforce to ensure that our team has the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the evolving needs of the market.

Following are some of the steps that we have taken to stay ahead of the curve:

1. Continuous Improvement: We have implemented a continuous improvement process to ensure that our services remain at the forefront of the industry. This includes regular reviews of our processes, equipment, and training programs to identify areas for improvement and to implement changes as needed.
2. Adoption of New Technologies: We have invested in new technologies to enhance our testing capabilities and improve efficiency. For example, the company has adopted advanced analytical equipment to increase the accuracy and reliability of its testing results.
3. Focus on Customer Needs: We have placed a strong emphasis on understanding and meeting the needs of our customers. This includes offering customized testing services to meet the unique requirements of each client and providing timely and responsive customer service.
4. Industry Participation: We are an active member of industry associations and participate in industry events and conferences to stay informed of the latest trends and developments in the consumer goods testing industry.
5. Training and Development: We place a strong focus on training and development to ensure that our team has the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the evolving needs of the market. This includes regular training sessions, cross-functional training, and knowledge-sharing programs. “Our people are our Assets”.

By implementing those various elements, we have positioned ourselves as a leader in the industry and have continued to meet the evolving needs of our clients.

How does Geochem laboratories pvt. ltd. see the future of consumer goods testing evolving, and what plans does the company have to stay at the forefront of these changes ?

We believe that the consumer goods testing industry is constantly evolving & growing, and we are committed to staying at the forefront of these changes. Here are some of the ways in which we see the future of consumer goods testing evolving, as well as our plans to stay ahead of the curve:

1. Increasing use of automation/ digitalization: We foresee an increasing use of automation in the consumer products testing industry. We are investing in advanced testing equipment and software that incorporates automation to improve testing accuracy, speed and efficiency.
2. Greater focus on sustainability: We recognizes that sustainability is becoming an increasingly important concern for consumers and businesses. The company is investing in new testing methods and technologies that support sustainability initiatives, such as reducing waste and conserving energy.
3. Innovation: Geochem Laboratories are investing in development of new testing methods to support Industry and to ensure that risk to consumer is minimised.

Overall, we are committed to staying at the forefront of changes in the consumer goods testing industry by investing in advanced testing equipment, expanding our testing services, collaborating with industry partners, developing innovative solutions, and continuously improving our testing services.