GCE R&D Lab Achieves ‘Golden Certificate’ of 5-Year ISO Accreditation

GCE expands independent testing services to help other manufacturers meet EU regulations

GCE® Group (Gas Control Equipment, an ESAB brand) has been awarded a certificate of accreditation for the CSN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018, a standard that covers testing. The accreditation, achieved by GCE’s Research and Development Laboratory in Chotebor, Czech Republic, is valid for a five-year period and encompasses new test methods and re-accreditation for its former scope of accreditation.

GCE Group is a leading European manufacturer for gas control equipment, pressure regulators, valves and flow meters for oxygen and acetylene welding and cutting equipment, high-purity gases and medical and electronic industrial applications. The company’s R&D lab also provides services to industry users and other manufacturers.

“The extended ISO accreditation achieves a key goal in developing our capabilities,” said Gareth Pemberton, Director of Innovation, GCE. “The need for excellent testing services is increasing not only from regulatory requirements such as the medical device transition to MDR, but also from our customers.” 

Newly accredited tests include those for oxygen compatibility of pressure regulating devices and auto-ignition test of non-metals in an oxygen enriched environment. GCE also offers more testing methods for artificial aging, salt mist corrosion, mechanical strength, leak tests, plastic parts that require checking for resistance against sunlight and heat, and metal parts that are to be checked for resistance to corrosion and many more.

Jakub Jonák, Head of GCE’s R&D Laboratory, said: “In addition to performing in-house tests for standards conformance, GCE has the advanced equipment and experienced personnel to investigate inspection test results. We can help manufacturers identify sources of problems and create non-accredited tests to prove out theories or check specific areas of product performance.”

To inquire about testing services, contact Jakub Jonák at jakub.jonak@gcegroup.com

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