BM TRADA Certification has boosted its international business by joining forces with its Spanish partners in a 50/50 joint venture.
The move will see BM TRADA taking up 50% of the shares in the new company, BM TRADA Certification España SL.
International business manager Robert Dye said that, as one of the UK’s leading certification bodies, BM TRADA had a “clear strategy to grow its business internationally”.
Working with its Spanish partners, the company had already awarded more than 200 certificates to a wide range of businesses in Spain and Portugal.
Schemes include quality, environmental, health and safety management, chain of custody certification (FSC and PEFC) and the food industry HACCP scheme.
“We will in time roll out CE marking, our own Q-Mark product certfication scheme and others as the joint venture develops,” said Mr Dye.
“We are investing in our partners’ local knowledge and expertise, while we in turn are contributing our technical expertise,” he added. Local auditors will carry out assessments, but BM TRADA will give final approval on all audits, certification and reports.
Other joint ventures are also planned, particularly in key markets like China, where Mr Dye said the company was close to an agreement. “The legal papers have been drafted and will be ready to sign by early October,” he said.
