Co-developed by the two companies, the Supplier Capability Assessment Service verifies a range of supplier information including facilities, legal entity status, staffing, export markets, key clients, production capabilities, product capabilities, management systems and accreditations, quality control systems and development and expansion plans.

All information is obtained from in-person visits, face-to-face interviews and third-party verifications.

This service is a key component of the next generation of Global Sources Online scheduled to launch next month. The site will feature a comprehensive industry-wide search engine providing a depth and breadth of content unmatched in the industry – and featuring an extended supplier verification toolset.

Supplier Capability Assessments of participating suppliers will be available for free to buyers at Global Sources Online (http://www.globalsources.com). Before the end of the year, four additional assessments, as well as production inspection and product testing services, will be available to buyers for a fee. These will address supply chain security, environmental safety, chemical safety and quality management.

Global Sources and Bureau Veritas plan to focus initially on baby and children's products, with plans to roll out the service to other product categories.

Global Sources' Chairman and CEO, Merle A. Hinrichs, said: "For 36 years, Global Sources has led the industry in verifying suppliers through our own stringent quality checks. Before a supplier is allowed to join our community, we visit them at least three times to confirm their company and product information.

"Earlier this year, we launched our Verified Supplier Service which enables buyers to clearly see at our website which suppliers have passed our inspections.

"Now, buyers can source from our suppliers with even more confidence knowing that an additional comprehensive assessment has been performed by one of the world's largest and most-trusted certification authorities."

Bureau Veritas' Vice President of Sales & Business Development, Lisa Bate, said: "Global Sources and its suppliers already have a reputation for quality. Through this partnership we aim to add an additional level of transparency to the sourcing industry that, until now, did not exist on-line. This program will only enhance that reputation by providing the B2B industry's most comprehensive assessment reports on China suppliers."

For more information about Global Sources visit http://www.corporate.globalsources.com. More information about Bureau Veritas is available at http://www.cps.bureauveritas.com.

About Bureau Veritas

Bureau Veritas is an international group with a core business of conformity assessment, applied in the areas of quality, health, safety, environment and social responsibility. Founded in 1828, Bureau Veritas is recognized and accredited by the largest national and international bodies. Though its presence in 140 countries, Bureau Veritas serves more than 280,000 customers

throughout the world. In 2006, Bureau Veritas employed 26,200 staff and achieved revenue in excess of 1.8 billion euros. Bureau Veritas' Consumer Products Services Division is a global quality assurance partner, providing comprehensive testing and evaluation services for a full range of consumer goods through offices and laboratories in over 40 countries. The Consumer Products Services Division employs over 6,500 people worldwide to provide comprehensive assessment, inspection and testing services to designers, manufacturers, retailers and buyers of consumer products. The Consumer Products Services Division assists its clients in managing their risks, regulatory compliance, and costs through collaboratively designed programs to assess product and process performance.