Enfield, CT (January 23, 2008) - Specialized Technology Resources (STR), a leading global provider of quality and safety testing for the toy and premium industry, has expanded its capabilities in the U.S. with the addition of a new toy testing laboratory located at its Shuster Laboratories facility in Canton, Massachusetts.

While the majority of STR's toy testing is conducted out of the company's 40,000 s/f laboratory in Shenzhen, China, there is increased demand for toy testing services in the U.S. as a result of the many toy recalls over the past six months. STR now has two toy testing facilities in the U.S. - one at its headquarters in Enfield, Connecticut and the new laboratory in Canton, MA. Both offer a wide range of toy testing capabilities, including mechanical safety and lead testing.

STR's U.S. and China laboratories support the company's broad scope of services for the toy industry which include: product design evaluations to identify safety hazards; assistance with factory selection and production feasibility; traceability of subcontractors; identification and monitoring of core component suppliers; factory audits; prevention of process contamination; behavioral analysis and human factors consulting; toy safety training/educational seminars; inspection services for every phase of a product's production; and testing to all worldwide standards.

"There are so many changes taking place right now in the toy industry and so many more on the horizon. We tripled the size of our toy testing laboratory in Shenzhen over four years ago to meet increased client demand for comprehensive risk prevention programs. Expanding our operations in the U.S. was the next logical step in meeting the growing need for toy testing services," said Susan DeRagon, Associate Director of the Toy and Premium Division at STR.

STR is currently working with the Toy Industry Association (TIA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as part of the committee that will release a toy "Safety Conformance Program" for public review and comment on February 1, 2008. Developed in response to recent toy safety concerns, the program will outline recommended procedures for design hazard and risk assessmet, manufacturing process controls, and in-plant testing as part of a mandatory safety testing program for the toy industry.

"We are ready to help companies comply with any federally mandated toy safety legislation, as well as with the TIA/ANSI safety conformance program when it is completed," said DeRagon. "It's expected that a formal certification program will be introduced and this will be a big transition for the toy industry. However, it's good for the industry and consumers because it puts everyone on a level playing field."

"Ultimately, the goal is to reduce and remove potential risk, starting with the concept of a product and continuing through its production and distribution. There is a general consensus in the toy industry that we need to move the industry to a higher standard for quality and safety testing," added DeRagon.

Specialized Technology Resources (STR), a privately held, U.S. owned company, is strategically located throughout the world in over 30 countries and on five continents. The STR Companies provide testing, audit, inspection, and responsible sourcing services and help ensure that clients have the highest level of confidence in the quality, safety, and social standards of their products and systems.

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If you would like to meet with Susan DeRagon at the New York Toy Fair to talk about the TIA/ANSI proposal, overall toy quality and safety issues, and other issues/trends, please contact Amy Blumenthal at 617-879-1511 and she can arrange a meeting/interview time. Also, visit STR's booth # 5388 at the Toy Fair.