Exova Warringtonfire hosted a delegation of senior representatives from the China Cruise and Yacht Industry Association (CCYIA) on Friday (7 September) to discuss providing testing and certification services to Chinese suppliers of interior materials and products for Chinese-built passenger ships. Exova Warringtonfire is part of Element Materials Technology (Element), a world-class global testing partner.
The meeting was proposed by the Department for International Trade (DIT) Northwest England in order to help promote UK capability in marine fire testing and advisory services to the CCYIA, who are interested in the development of China’s cruise and yacht industry. Philomena Chen, Head of Asia Pacific at DIT North West, said: “The intention is to achieve this via a partnership agreement that will see Element become a preferred supplier of fire test procedure (FTP) testing services and marine equipment directive (MED) certification for Chinese material and product suppliers to the passenger ship markets.”
The fire testing facility welcomed its guests, including 10 senior leaders from the marine industry in China, with a laboratory tour, a presentation from Element’s senior Technical Manager on Marine Certification and an overview of the overall company and its Fire & Building Products sector, delivered by Element’s Divisional Director for Certification.
Zhaoben Zhang, Executive President at the CCYIA, said: “I know I speak on behalf of the entire delegation when I say that we are all very impressed with the world-class fire testing facility at Warrington.
“China has a long history of shipbuilding, however, supporting materials and products for cruise vessels do not currently satisfy requirements in terms of product diversity, safety and quality. The potential of China’s cruise and yacht industry is enormous and, having now established a strategic cooperation with Element, we are excited to move forward with the next stages of this collaboration.”
Rob Veitch, EVP Fire & Building Products at Element, said: “As a recognized world-leader in marine fire testing and as a globally-respected provider of fire certification schemes, we are delighted to agree to this partnership with the CCYIA. I’m confident that our testing and certification expertise and services will result in a significant rise in the diversity and quality of Chinese products for the shipping industry which will be mutually beneficial to all parties involved.”
Element’s Warrington laboratory offers a comprehensive range of impartial and independent fire safety services to a diverse range of sectors across the world. It is the world’s leading independent fire and security testing, fire engineering and certification provider, offering a comprehensive range of specialist fire safety and building products services to international markets from a network of accredited sites around the world including Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.About Element
Element specializes in providing a comprehensive range of materials and product qualification testing, inspection and certification services to the global Aerospace; Transportation & Industrials; Fire & Building Products; and Oil & Gas and Infrastructure sectors.
Element’s expanded network of 6,700 Engaged Experts operate out of 189 laboratories in 33 countries and are trusted by organizations to test and advise on the safety, quality, performance and compliance of their products, systems and operations.
About China Cruise & Yacht Industry Association (CCYIA)
The China Cruise and Yacht Industry Association was established in 2006 in Beijing, China, and is a subdivision affiliated to the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission. As a national NGO, CCYIA's members are composed of industry-related firms, organizations, and industry veterans. CCYIA has been authorized by the Chinese government as the nationwide association to promote the cruise and yachting industries in China.
About Department for International Trade (DIT)
The UK’s Department for International Trade has overall responsibility for promoting UK trade across the world and attracting foreign investment to UK economy. They are a specialized government body with responsibility for negotiating international trade policy, supporting business, as well as delivering an outward-looking trade diplomacy strategy.
Media contacts:
Diana Milford, External Communications Manager
T: +44 (0) 131 333 8052 / +44 (0) 7768 884 954
Devan LaBrash, Pagoda Porter Novelli
T: +44 (0) 131 556 0770
“As a recognized world-leader in marine fire testing and as a globally-respected provider of fire certification schemes, we are delighted to agree to this partnership with the CCYIA.”
Rob Veitch
EVP Fire & Building Products