SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Information furnished as at September 21, 2000
Intertek Testing Services Limited
(REGISTRANT)
25 Savile Row
London, W1X 1AA
England
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE)
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F)
Form 20-F |X| Form 40-F
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)
Yes No |X|
Schedule of Information contained in this report
Press Release dated September 21, 2000
<PAGE>
PRESS RELEASE
INTERTEK TESTING SERVICES RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS
ABOUT U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Intertek Testing Services Limited (Intertek) today said that tests conducted
several years ago by several employees of an environmental subsidiary
(Environmental) that is no longer operational were discovered by its own quality
control procedures to be irregular and were promptly reported to the
Environmental Protection Agency. Most important, extensive reassessment of the
data provided to customers has not shown any health or safety risks.
"While this employee conduct was unacceptable, we want to emphasize that the
EPA has stated it concurs with our findings that the tests were not
substantially in error and that none of the tested sites has been found to pose
a risk to safety or health," said Richard Nelson, Intertek's Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer. "We have worked closely with the U.S. government during its
investigation. Moreover, we are committed to a zero-tolerance compliance policy
for all our testing services, and customers today can be assured of the quality
of our work."
In responding to questions generated by a newspaper article, Intertek also
clarified numerous points:
o Intertek had an independent expert conduct a study of the available data
and shared the results with the EPA. That study supports the EPA's own
conclusions to date that there is no present or future threat to human
health or the environment from the testing.
o Environmental's voluntary disclosure to the EPA in January 1998 was not
influenced by a "sting" performed by the EPA, as has been reported.
Intertek and Environmental have never been nor are they now aware of a
"sting." Moreover, the steps leading to voluntary disclosure by
Environmental have been thoroughly investigated by its lawyers and found to
have been made in accordance with the letter and the spirit of the law.
o All data concerned has been statistically reassessed under the control of
outside, independent consultants to assure there are no health or safety
risks.
o Intertek closed the laboratory where the irregularities occurred and sold
the four other laboratories in its Environmental subsidiary by August 1998,
although re-assessment of the data in question has continued in order to
assure health and environmental safety.
BILL SPENCER RICHARD NELSON
FINANCE DIRECTOR CHAIRMAN & CEO
TEL NO: +44 20 7396 3400 TEL NO: +44 20 7396 3400
SEPTEMBER 21, 2000
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form
6-K and has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.
INTERTEK TESTING SERVICES LIMITED
(Registrant)
By: /s/ WILLIAM SPENCER
Name: William Spencer
Title: Director
Date: September 21, 2000
