SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has officially opened its new Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) testing lab for consumer products in Mexico.

Located in the metropolitan area of Naucalpan, State of Mexico, the new facility will provide manufacturers and retailers from the region’s automotive, electrical and electronic, food, furniture, textile and toy sectors with easy access to a comprehensive range of VOC testing services to ensure compliance with local and international regulations and standards.

Erika Maldonado, Laboratory Manager, Connectivity & Products, Mexico, SGS said: “We are delighted to open our first VOC testing lab in Mexico. We look forward to working with manufacturers and retailers across the region to meet the demands of VOC testing and ensure that the materials they use are safe for people and the environment, giving them the green light to access new markets with confidence.”

VOC and Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOC) are carbon-based gases, that include formaldehyde, styrene, limonene and xylenes. Materials such as plastics, paints, adhesives and textiles, used in a wide range of consumer products, can release VOC which easily evaporate at room temperature and when heated. These gases can cause respiratory irritations, allergies and severe long-term effects to consumers.

Using advanced test methods and the latest generation equipment, SGS can perform VOC testing services applicable to:

  • Cleaning and home care products to ensure their suitability for use in home environments
  • Cosmetics and personal care items such as perfumes, deodorants, lotions and other cosmetics
  • Toys and children’s products where plastic materials and other components can release VOC
  • Electronic devices and appliances which can emit VOC due to plastic materials and internal components
  • Furniture and home products such as flooring, laminate flooring and rugs especially if they are made of synthetic materials or contain adhesives
  • Paints and coatings which may emit VOC during and after application
  • Textiles and clothing, especially those treated with certain types of dyes and finishes
  • Food and beverages packaging

SGS in Mexico remains at the forefront by constantly updating and modernizing its laboratories. The new facility, the first to open in Mexico, expands SGS’s global network of VOC testing laboratories.

Learn more about SGS’s services here.