SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, is delighted to announce that SGS Gulf Limited (SGS) has been appointed as a Notified Body for the certification of low voltage electrical equipment (LVE) in Oman by the Directorate General for Standards and Metrology of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman (DGSM).

Oman’s product conformity program requires that specific regulated product categories are be certified for compliance with the country’s technical regulations and standards, or their approved equivalents. SGS can carry out assessments for the products listed under Stage 1 LVE, which are washing machines (with a capacity exceeding 10 kg and up to 25kg), dishwashers and vacuum cleaners. Products categorized under Stage 2 and 3 will be announced later this year and in 2024.

In addition to this, SGS has also been approved for the certification of the DGSM’s energy efficiency rating scheme of air conditioners and for G Mark Certification of LVEs. The latter covers categories such as refrigerators, food grinders and mixers, ovens, plugs, socket outlets, cord extension sets, air-conditioners, microwave ovens, washing machines, electric water heaters, electric fans, electric irons, hair straighteners and curlers etc.

Certificates of Conformity are issued by SGS following an assessment and testing process which includes design and sample evaluation, as well as analysis in DGSM-approved laboratories. The type examination process involves safety and electromagnetic compatibility tests, and manufacturers must prepare product design and risk analysis documentation. Once the products have been approved by SGS and registered with the DGSM, a certificate of conformity can be issued.

Oman’s product conformity assessment (PCA) program regulates products sold in the country, in order to protect public health and the environment. SGS’s services help manufacturers and retailers gain access to Omani markets, avoid delays in customs clearance and reduce loss from potential penalties.

More information is available in SGS’s PCA Newsletter, Q2 2023.

For further information, please contact: 

Sithara Hatim
Certification Center Manager, SGS
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

About SGS 
We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 97,000 employees operate a network of 2,650 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, is delighted to provide details of Ivory Coast’s verification of conformity (VoC) standards program, giving businesses expert guidance on accessing this growing market.

Statistics from the International Trade Centre demonstrate that products exported to Ivory Coast were worth USD 14 billion in 2021, with a growth rate between 2020 and 2021 of 34%. China, France and Nigeria were the top three export supply markets for the country.

Ivory Coast’s VoC program began in July 2019, aiming to ensure that only high-quality products would reach this lucrative market. Its standards are set by the country’s regulatory authority.

With a minimum threshold for applicable products of XOF 1,000 or EUR 1,525, Ivory Coast’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Promotion of SMEs (MCIPPME) has published a list of product categories which are regulated by the VOC program. This is available on the website of the Ministry of Commerce: http://www.commerce.gouv.ci.

SGS provides full product conformity assessment (PCA) services for exporters wishing to obtain certificates of conformity for VoC clearance. Full documentation must be submitted to SGS, including a Request for Certification, proforma/final invoice, quality management system certification details and other conformity documents such as test reports, quality and analysis certificates and technical data sheets. Products must have undergone one, or a combination, of documentary verification and physical inspection, as well as testing in approved laboratories. If the verification process has been completed satisfactorily, and conformity assessment fees are paid by the exporter, then a Certificate of Conformity can be issued.

With many years of experience in the monitoring of maritime traffic in Africa and the Middle East, SGS’s ACI technical center in Ivory Coast also provides access to expert assessment of the necessary commercial and transport documents. There are three available certification assessment routes to demonstrate product compliance. Details of these and SGS’s full PCA services for Ivory Coast, plus a list of products which are exempt from the VOC program, are available in SGS’s PCA Newsletter, Q2 2023.

For further information, please contact:

Sosthene Compaore
Contract Manager, Trade Facilitation Services, SGS
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About SGS 
We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 97,000 employees operate a network of 2,650 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

Gatineau, Quebec – Facing a real-life emergency in Quebec where you are called on to give first aid to someone on the edge of life can be overwhelming. But the team at Secourisme RCR Plus provides the very knowledge required to ensure you can help someone survive.

Secourisme RCR Plus is an emergency training school whose instructors are highly trained and qualified to lead various CPR and first aid courses. Having the knowledge, experience, and training empowers individuals to handle critical life situations either in the home, at work, as part of their health careers, or in general.

In Quebec, CPR training is mandatory for all medical personnel, without exception, for doctors, paramedics, nurses, dentists, emergency physicians or even pharmacists. The same applies to daycare educators, border guards, security guards, beach and pool lifeguards and adventure guides.

This is because the chances of these professionals being confronted with cardio-respiratory emergencies while exercising their daily professions are high. They must be able to recognize problems, assess the patient's condition and correctly administer the necessary first aid.

According to the results of various studies, the first minutes are crucial in the event of cardio-respiratory distress. Intervention that is too late considerably reduces the victim's chances of survival and increases the risk of serious, and sometimes even irreversible, problems.

CPR training is optional for people who do not practice risky jobs. However, according to the regulations by CNESST, at least one duly trained first aider must be present in all offices during working hours. The numbers required vary according to the number of employees. In addition, they must be chosen so that their positions within the company allow them to be released immediately and intervene quickly in the event of an emergency.

At Secourisme RCR Plus, they offer several categories of CPR training. At the end, participants obtain a certificate issued by the Canadian Red Cross. Depending on your situation and job, they offer online, mixed or face-to-face courses.

"Taking a first aid course is preparing to act; it also gives yourself the tools to recognize an emergency and take concrete actions that can save lives. We offer high-quality training so the theory becomes concrete and the practice allows you to act as a first aider," said a company official.

Secourisme RCR Plus can offer quality training, fast and efficient registration procedures and respect the values of the Canadian Red Cross.

The team includes Sebastien Gagnon, a first aid Instructor, first responder and Canadian Red Cross emergency medical responder. He is a former member of the National Red Cross First Aid Program Review Committees (2000-2008) for the Leadership component.

He received the Meritorious Service Medal from the Canadian Red Cross for his involvement in implementing the AED and advanced first aid program for first aid stations in Greater Montreal. Sébastien has ten years of practice as a paramedic in Quebec and Ontario, is certified as a paramedic in advanced care and has been teaching full-time in the Paramedic care program at La Cité collégiale (Ottawa) for ten years. 

To discover more about the program:

Phone: +1-819-775-9876

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: https://secourismercrplus.com/

CHARLOTTE - Sunshine Restoration is proud to announce that we are a 24/7 full-service water, fire, and mold damage restoration company serving the Charlotte, NC, area. We have been providing top-quality services to the Charlotte area for over ten years and are dedicated to helping our clients restore their homes and businesses after any disaster. We understand how stressful dealing with a disaster in your home or business can be.

That’s why we have made it our mission to provide you with the best possible service to help restore your property to its original condition. Our highly trained professionals will diligently clean, dry, and restore your property to normal after any disaster. We use only the latest technology and equipment certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to ensure that your property is restored correctly.

Sunshine Restoration takes pride in providing exceptional customer service while using quality products and materials. We strive to give each customer a personalized experience tailored to their property needs. In addition, we believe in providing a safe environment for our customers and taking the time to answer any questions they may have about the restoration process. We also work directly with your insurance company to ensure you receive the maximum coverage for your claim.

Our goal is to make sure that all of our customers feel comfortable throughout the entire restoration process. You should know that you can trust us with your home or business and feel confident that we can return it to its pre-disaster state quickly and safely. With Sunshine Restoration, you know your property is in experienced hands.

As mentioned, we do full-service home restorations; no matter the issue, we can handle:

• A broad range of water damage restoration services includes flood damage, leak detection, sewage cleanup, water extraction, and even structural drying.
• We can handle comprehensive fire damage services such as restoration and fire and smoke cleanup.
• Since water damage can lead to mold formation, we also handle removals, remediations, inspections, and testing.
• While not as much of a request on the residential side of things, we also offer commercial biohazard cleanup for businesses.

If you’re looking for a full-service restoration company in Charlotte, NC, look no further than our family-owned home restoration company. At Sunshine Restoration, our team of experienced professionals is here for you every step of the way, from start to finish. Contact us today for more information about how we can help restore your property after any disaster.