ANSI ISO/IEC Guide 65 Accreditation Awarded to STR-Registrar, LLC

STROUDSBURG, PA--(Marketwire - October 21, 2009) - STR-Registrar, LLC recently became one of the first product certification bodies to be granted ANSI ISO/IEC Guide 65 Accreditation within the scope of TIA/TSCP®. This accreditation enables STR-Registrar to certify toy products in accordance with the Toy Industry Association's (TIA) Toy Safety Certification Program (TSCP®) and grant use of TIA's toy safety certification mark that will be required on toy products or packaging that have met the specific TSCP® program safety requirements. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) assesses the competence of product certification bodies like STR-Registrar using requirements found in international standards and guidance documents ISO/IEC Guide 65, General Requirements for Bodies Operating Product Certification Systems, associated International Accreditation Forum Guidance Documents, and program requirements set forth by the TSCP®.

The TSCP® is a voluntary program created to improve toy safety, restore consumer confidence in toy products, and help manufacturers and retailers comply with federal legislation that toys be tested by an accredited lab and subsequently be certified to demonstrate that they meet rigorous national safety standards and regulations. The program builds on the requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) to help assure the safety of toys entering the U.S. marketplace. The TSCP® was created by TIA with the input of ANSI, conformity assessment experts, toy companies, retailers, consumer groups, U.S. government bodies, toy testing labs, and factory auditing companies, as well as officials and industry representatives from China and the European Union.

"Companies that choose to certify their toy products under the TSCP® are demonstrating a commitment to safety that goes beyond the federal requirements of the CPSIA," said Bryce E. Carson, Sr., President and CEO of STR-Registrar, LLC. "Both manufacturers and retailers are embracing the program as an opportunity to reassure customers that their toy products have met the highest standards of safety."

Toy companies that apply for TSCP® certification must: conduct and document a hazard and risk assessment for toy product design; have factory process controls assessed by an independent audit body accredited to ISO 17021; and ensure that production sample testing is performed by an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory to validate that the factory is capable of producing toys that meet U.S. safety standards. Once these three requirements are met and verified by accredited certification bodies such as STR-Registrar, LLC, the product and/or packaging may bear the TSCP® toy safety certification mark. As an ANSI accredited certification body under the TSCP® program, STR-Registrar, LLC has oversight responsibility for issuance of the TSCP® certification mark.

About ANSI

ANSI is a private non-profit quasi-government organization whose mission is to enhance U.S. global competitiveness and the American quality of life by promoting, facilitating, and safeguarding the integrity of the voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. ANSI is also actively engaged in accrediting sector specific programs that assess conformance to national and international standards -- including globally-recognized cross-sector programs such as the ISO 9000 (quality) and ISO 14000 (environmental) management systems.

About STR-Registrar, LLC

STR-Registrar, LLC is an ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) accredited international provider of management system certification and registration services. In addition to ANSI ISO/IEC Guide 65 Accreditation, STR-Registrar, LLC maintains accreditations and offers ISO 9001, AS9100, and AS9120 management system certifications as well as ANSI/AIHA Z10 and OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety management system certifications. Further accreditations held include SA8000, Social Accountability International granted by Social Accountability Accreditation Services (SAAS). STR-Registrar, LLC is a subsidiary of Specialized Technology Resources (STR), which provides testing, audit, and responsible sourcing services to help ensure that consumers, customers and retailers have the highest level of confidence in the quality, safety, and social standards of their products and systems. Based in Enfield, CT, STR maintains sophisticated laboratories and offices in over 30 countries across five continents, and the reach to provide audit services in over 140 countries around the world. Visit STR at http://www.STRQuality.com.

Contact Information: Contact: Amy Blumenthal Blumenthal & Associates 617-879-1511